India have named a 16-member squad for their two-Test series in New Zealand, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to lead the attack, Rishabh Pant included subject to fitness and Kuldeep Yadav recalled to the group, the ICC confirmed on 17 October 2026.
The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, begins with the first Test in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. It will be a crucial assignment for the two-time WTC finalists as they look to climb the standings.
Shubman Gill will captain the side, with KL Rahul named vice-captain, and the selectors have put together a pace-heavy group suited to traditionally seam-friendly New Zealand conditions.
India Test Squad: Bumrah’s Timely Return
The headline news is the return of Bumrah, who is back in the Test squad after being withdrawn from India’s previous WTC assignment against Sri Lanka. The right-arm quick has a phenomenal average of 19.79 with the ball in 52 Tests, and his presence transforms the India Test Squad and provides a significant boost to India’s pace attack ahead of a series in which pace and bounce could play a major role in both Wellington and Christchurch, according to the ICC.
Bumrah has the third-most wickets for India in this WTC cycle with 29, behind Mohammed Siraj on 43 and Ravindra Jadeja on 33. Alongside Bumrah, the India Test Squad includes Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Anshul Kamboj and Nitish Kumar Reddy in its pace-bowling group, giving the team flexibility when selecting their attack.
Kuldeep Yadav is back in Test contention after being left out of India’s line-up for the previous Test against Sri Lanka. Despite picking up just a single wicket in the two-match series opener, the left-arm wrist-spinner’s record of 80 wickets from 19 Tests underlines his ability in the longest format. He will compete for a place alongside spin-bowling all-rounders Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
India Test Squad: Pant Faces Fitness Race
Pant has been named in the squad despite missing the India A tour of New Zealand due to an injury sustained during the Irani Trophy. His availability for the series remains subject to fitness clearance, with Dhruv Jurel also included as a wicket-keeping option.
The selectors have kept faith with the left-hander while waiting to see how his recovery progresses, and the asterisk against his name in the squad list reflects that condition. Pant’s aggressive batting and sharp glovework would be a major asset in New Zealand if he proves his fitness in time.
India’s tour management will monitor Pant closely in the lead-up to the Tests, with the final call on his participation likely to come late. If cleared, the India Test Squad gains a proven match-winner; if not, Jurel’s steady glovework and improving batting give the team a reliable alternative behind the stumps.
For the India Test Squad, Jadeja and Sundar bring spin-bowling and batting depth to the group, while Nitish Kumar Reddy offers another seam-bowling all-round option. India’s final combination will depend on conditions and the balance required at each venue.
India Test Squad Eyes WTC Boost in New Zealand
India sit fifth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings with a points percentage of 51.52 following their last outing against Sri Lanka, where they won the first Test and drew the second. The upcoming series presents an opportunity for the two-time finalists to build momentum and improve their position ahead of the Ultimate Test at The Oval next June.
The full squad is: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
The Test series will be the final leg of India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand, following the five-match T20I series beginning October 22 and the five-match ODI series starting November 4. A strong showing in the longest format would cap the tour on a high and keep the India Test Squad’s WTC ambitions firmly alive.