NZ 'A' name 19-man squad with 11 internationals for India A red-ball series
Synopsis
New Zealand A have named 11 internationals — including Tim Robinson, Mitch Hay, and Henry Nicholls — in a 19-man squad to face an India A side featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul in three four-day matches starting 25 October. With the Hero VIDA Test series kicking off on 19 November, this red-ball contest is as close to a dress rehearsal as either side will get.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand A named an extended 19-man squad with 11 international players for three four-day matches against India A .
Matches begin on 25 October at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University , Christchurch.
Rhys Mariu will captain the first two games; captaincy for game three is yet to be decided.
India A's squad includes Yashasvi Jaiswal , KL Rahul , Rishabh Pant , and Washington Sundar , all named for the Hero VIDA Test series starting 19 November .
The series runs alongside the NZ vs India white-ball series and the domestic Ford Trophy , with 13 players assembled per match.
Newest centrally contracted player Nick Kelly is in line to play in Match 3 .
New Zealand A have announced an extended 19-man squad featuring 11 international players for three four-day matches against India A, beginning Saturday, 25 October at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University in Christchurch. The selection signals New Zealand Cricket's intent to use the series as a high-performance development platform ahead of a busy home international summer.
Squad Composition and Captaincy
Rhys Mariu will lead the side for the first two matches, with the captaincy for the third game to be confirmed at a later stage. Among the centrally contracted and capped New Zealand internationals named in the squad are Tim Robinson, Kristian Clarke, Mitch Hay, Adi Ashok, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Henry Nicholls, and the newest centrally contracted player Nick Kelly, who is in line to feature in the third match.
How the Series Will Be Managed
The A series runs concurrently with the New Zealand vs India white-ball series and New Zealand's domestic Ford Trophy 50-over competition. As a result, 13 players will be assembled for each match, with the remaining squad members directed to Ford Trophy fixtures. This rotation approach allows New Zealand Cricket to manage dual commitments without overloading any single player.
India A's Star-Studded Line-Up
New Zealand A will face formidable opposition, with India A's squad including red-ball talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar — all of whom have been named in India's squad for the Hero VIDA Test series against the Blackcaps, starting 19 November. The A series therefore serves as meaningful preparation for both sides ahead of the full Test contest.
What New Zealand Cricket Said
New Zealand Cricket Head of High Performance Development Pete Sanford described the series as a significant developmental opportunity. 'We're really looking forward to hosting India A,' Sanford said. 'They've announced a very strong line up which poses a great opportunity for growth as players to test their strengths against international class.' He added: 'There's a huge buzz around having India on our shores and I know the squad are raring to get their domestic summer underway.'
Match-by-Match Squads
Match 1: Rhys Mariu (C), Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (WK), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
Match 2: Rhys Mariu (C), Matt Boyle, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay (WK), Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson, Fraser Sheat.
Match 3: Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu (WK), Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Jarrod McKay, Cam Paul, Henry Nicholls, Fraser Sheat.
With the Hero VIDA Test series less than four weeks away, the India A fixtures offer both sides a rare chance to sharpen their red-ball skills under competitive conditions before the main event begins.
Point of View
And the fact that India A is sending Jaiswal, Pant, Rahul, and Sundar signals that the BCCI sees this as meaningful Test preparation rather than a courtesy tour. For New Zealand, the concurrent Ford Trophy commitment means selectors are managing availability across three formats simultaneously — a logistical tightrope that will test depth more than any single match result. If Nick Kelly and the uncapped squad members perform against that India A line-up, the selection conversation ahead of the November Tests will get genuinely complicated.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the New Zealand A squad for the India A red-ball series?
New Zealand A have named a 19-man squad that includes 11 internationals: Tim Robinson, Kristian Clarke, Mitch Hay, Adi Ashok, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher, Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, and captain Rhys Mariu, alongside uncapped domestic players. Thirteen players will be selected for each individual match.
When and where do the NZ A vs India A four-day matches begin?
The first of three four-day matches begins on Saturday, 25 October, at Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Which India players are part of the India A squad for this series?
India A's squad features top red-ball talents including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar — all of whom have also been named in India's squad for the Hero VIDA Test series against New Zealand starting 19 November.
Why is the NZ A squad being rotated across the three matches?
The India A series runs at the same time as the New Zealand vs India white-ball bilateral series and New Zealand's domestic Ford Trophy competition. To manage dual commitments, New Zealand Cricket is assembling 13 players per match, with the remaining squad members available for Ford Trophy fixtures.
What is the significance of this series ahead of the Hero VIDA Test series?
The four-day matches against India A serve as direct red-ball preparation for both sides before the Hero VIDA Test series between New Zealand and India begins on 19 November. For New Zealand, it is also an opportunity to assess emerging players like Nick Kelly against international-quality opposition.
