Bumrah, Washington, Akash Deep return to India's Test squad for New Zealand series
Synopsis
India's first-choice Test combination is back. Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep all return for the New Zealand tour — but the real subplot is fitness: Rishabh Pant and Prasidh Krishna are in the squad subject to clearance, while India's WTC survival hinges on winning every remaining game in the cycle.
Key Takeaways
Jasprit Bumrah , Washington Sundar , Nitish Kumar Reddy , and Akash Deep have been recalled to India's 16-member Test squad for the New Zealand series.
Sarfaraz Khan , Manav Suthar , Saransh Jain , Auqib Nabi , and Gurnoor Brar have been dropped.
Rishabh Pant and Prasidh Krishna are included but subject to final fitness clearances.
The series opener is on 19 November in Wellington ; the second Test begins 27 November in Christchurch , both at 3:30 AM IST .
India are fifth in the WTC 2025–27 standings with a PCT of 51.52% and must win all remaining games to qualify for the final at The Oval in June.
Shubman Gill leads the side with KL Rahul as vice-captain.
Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep have been recalled to India's 16-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on 16 October. The returning quartet joins a reshuffled side captained by Shubman Gill, with the series opener scheduled for 19 November in Wellington.
Who's In and Who's Out
To make room for the returning players and B Sai Sudharsan — who is back after recovering from injury — five players have been dropped: batter Sarfaraz Khan, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, off-spinner Saransh Jain, and pacers Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar. The reshuffle signals a clear return to India's first-choice combination after a period of experimentation.
KL Rahul has been named vice-captain, with the top order reading Gill, Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sudharsan — a lineup that blends experience with emerging talent.
Fitness Watch: Pant and Prasidh
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and pacer Prasidh Krishna have been named in the squad, but the BCCI confirmed their participation remains subject to final fitness clearances. Pant is recovering from a left-side strain he sustained while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup clash against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, which also kept him out of the first two India A red-ball games against New Zealand A. Dhruv Jurel, currently leading India A on the shadow tour, retains his place as the backup wicketkeeper.
Prasidh is recovering from a left hamstring injury picked up during an ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati. Should both clear fitness in time, India will field a formidable attack.
India's Pace and Spin Units
Bumrah returns to spearhead a pace attack that includes Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh, and Anshul Kamboj — the latter back in contention following the 2025 tour of England. The spin department features veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, while Nitish Kumar Reddy adds seam-bowling depth to the lower order.
WTC Stakes and Series Schedule
The first Test begins on 19 November at Wellington, with the second and final match starting on 27 November at Christchurch. Both matches are scheduled to start at 3:30 AM IST. India currently sit fifth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 standings with a points percentage of 51.52%. Notably, India must win all of their remaining WTC fixtures in the cycle to qualify for the final, scheduled from 9–13 June at The Oval.
India's full Test squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wk, subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna (subject to fitness), Akash Deep, B Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Point of View
Recalling their best available combination after a period of testing the fringes — but the squad announcement cannot paper over a fragile WTC position. At 51.52%, India need a perfect run, and with Pant and Prasidh on fitness watch, the depth at wicketkeeping and pace is thinner than the headline names suggest. The New Zealand conditions will test India's top order and seam attack in ways that home surfaces do not, and Gill's captaincy will face its sternest examination yet away from the subcontinent. The stakes are not just a bilateral series — they are a place in the WTC final.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been recalled to India's Test squad for the New Zealand series?
Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep have all been recalled to India's 16-member Test squad for the two-match series in New Zealand. B Sai Sudharsan also returns after recovering from injury.
Who has been dropped from India's Test squad for New Zealand?
Sarfaraz Khan, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, and Gurnoor Brar have been left out to accommodate the returning players. The five were part of the previous Test setup but did not make the cut for the New Zealand tour.
Is Rishabh Pant fit for the New Zealand Test series?
Rishabh Pant has been named in the squad but his availability is subject to a final fitness clearance. He is recovering from a left-side strain sustained during the Irani Cup, which also ruled him out of India A's red-ball games against New Zealand A. Dhruv Jurel is named as the backup wicketkeeper.
When and where are the India vs New Zealand Tests in 2026?
The first Test starts on 19 November at Wellington, and the second on 27 November at Christchurch. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST.
What are India's ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings?
India are currently fifth in the WTC 2025–27 standings with a points percentage of 51.52%. They need to win all of their remaining WTC matches in the cycle to qualify for the final, which is scheduled from 9–13 June at The Oval in London.
