Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant have been named in India’s squad for the forthcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. However, Pant’s involvement will depend on his fitness.
Bumrah is slated to lead the bowling attack in the Test series starting in Wellington on 19th November, marking his first Test appearance since November 2025. He will not feature in the ODI series, in line with plans devised by Indian selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir to manage his workload. These measures aim to ensure Bumrah’s availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
Bumrah was last seen in action during the Asian Games in Japan, contributing to India’s gold medal success. Currently, he is training in Ahmedabad and is expected to visit the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before the New Zealand tour.
Pant, hindered by a side strain sustained during the recent Irani Cup while leading the Rest of India, missed the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. He is expected to return for the third unofficial Test in Lincoln from 7th to 10th November, joining teammates Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Anshul Kamboj.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is also part of the Test squad, though his involvement in the preceding ODI series awaits fitness clearance. Despite a left hamstring strain, his scans ruled out more severe damage. He’s been undergoing strength and conditioning therapy as well as recovery routines.
Akash Deep has made a return to the Test team following good performances in the Irani Cup and Ranji Trophy for Bengal. Anshul Kamboj, following a promising debut in Manchester in 2025, reclaims a Test spot, adding depth alongside Mohammed Siraj and allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Although Manav Suthar, who excelled with 16 wickets in Sri Lanka, missed selection, spin options Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav add strength. B Sai Sudharsan returns to the squad after recovering from a toe injury, providing a backup batting option.
In the ODI series, Shreyas Iyer will assume captaincy for the last two matches after Shubman Gill leads the first three. Anshul Kamboj features in the initial ODI squad.
India’s Test Squad:
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
India’s ODI Squad (First Three Matches):
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav
India’s ODI Squad (Fourth and Fifth Matches):
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav
Further updates are expected.
