After concluding a home white-ball series against the West Indies, the Indian cricket team now faces the challenge of a tour to New Zealand. The ‘Men in Blue’ are currently in New Zealand, where they are set to compete in a five-match T20 International series, a five-match ODI series, and a two-match Test series.
The T20 series begins on October 22, with the first match scheduled to be held at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Team India arrived in New Zealand on October 19 for this series. Let’s take a look at India’s strong playing XI against New Zealand:
1. Top Order
India’s top order against New Zealand will feature familiar faces. Following their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 victory, the team has opted for minimal changes at the top. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are expected to open the innings, while the ‘pocket-sized dynamo’ Ishan Kishan will bat at the number three position.
2. Middle Order
In the middle order for the T20 series, captain Shreyas Iyer will bat at number four, followed by vice-captain Tilak Verma. The positions from five to seven will be occupied by the trio of Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
3. Bowling
The bowling responsibilities for the five-match T20 series will rest with fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar—who has returned to the Indian T20 side after a long four-year wait—and Arshdeep Singh, India’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 format. Meanwhile, the spin attack will be spearheaded by ‘mystery spinner’ Varun Chakaravarthy.
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Indian squad for the T20 series against New Zealand
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 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, Kuldeep Yadav
