Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India’s T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour
Veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has made his return to India’s T20I setup after the BCCI’s senior selection committee included the 36-year-old pacer in the squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar’s last appearance for India also came in New Zealand in November 2022, shortly after the T20 World Cup. His impressive performances in the IPL have now earned him another opportunity at the international level.
The pacer enjoyed a particularly successful IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, claiming 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95. His consistency and experience have helped him force his way back into the national squad.
India’s 16-member T20I squad
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
Varun Chakaravarthy also makes a comeback
Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has also returned to the T20I squad. The 35-year-old had an injury-hit 2026 and last played for India in the T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi, where he suffered a side strain.
The injury subsequently kept him out of the one-off T20I against Japan as well as the Asian Games. He has now been recalled in place of Ravi Bishnoi.
Apart from these changes, the squad largely resembles the team currently involved in the T20I series against the West Indies.
Bumrah rested from T20Is
India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has not been included in the T20I squad. His absence is understood to be linked to workload management, particularly with an important two-Test series against New Zealand scheduled later in the tour.
India’s five-match T20I series in New Zealand will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Strong India A squad named for New Zealand
Alongside the senior T20I squad, the selectors have also announced a strong 15-member India A squad for three multi-day matches against New Zealand A.
Bengal pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar have been included in a pace attack that also features Auqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary.
Akash Deep recently took six wickets in the Irani Cup, while Mukesh Kumar produced an impressive eight-wicket haul during Rest of India’s 167-run victory.
The India A squad also features several players with Test experience, including KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar.
Washington Sundar, who was recently withdrawn from India’s T20I squad against the West Indies, has also been selected. Rishabh Pant is included as well, although his participation remains subject to fitness clearance.
The three India A matches are scheduled for October 27, November 3 and November 10, with games to be played in Lincoln and Christchurch.
India’s first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.