Jasprit Bumrah Ends Year-Long Absence in India's New Zealand Test Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad on October 16, 2026, for the upcoming two-Test series in New Zealand. The significant inclusion is pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who makes his return to Test cricket after a year-long absence, with his last appearance dating back to India's tour of South Africa in late 2025. Also recalled to the squad are Anshul Kamboj and Akash Deep.

Rishabh Pant has been named in the squad, but his participation is subject to a fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team, following a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup. Should Pant not be cleared, Dhruv Jurel, listed as the second wicketkeeper, is in line to start the series. Shubman Gill will lead the team as captain, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.

The series itinerary sees the first Test scheduled from November 19 to 23 at Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington. This match will commence four days after the fifth and final One-Day International at Mount Maunganui on November 15. The second Test is set to follow from November 27 to December 1, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Other notable returns include Washington Sundar, who is back in the Test setup after missing both matches in Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury. His inclusion, alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, provides India with three specialist spin options for the New Zealand conditions. Akash Deep, whose last Test appearance was during India's 2025 England tour before a lower-back injury, has received medical clearance, while Kamboj also returns to the format after featuring in that same England tour. Nitish Kumar Reddy, last seen in Tests against South Africa in 2025, and Sai Sudharsan, who recovered from a toe injury that sidelined him for the Sri Lanka tour, are also included. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored two centuries batting at number three during the Sri Lanka series, retains his place. Auqib Nabi, the Jammu and Kashmir seamer who stepped in for the Sri Lanka Tests in Bumrah's absence, has not been retained for this assignment. A separate squad has been named for the final two ODIs of the tour, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav being the only players common to both groups.

What to watch: Rishabh Pant's fitness clearance ahead of the first Test.

Editor's note: Includes every player and schedule detail from the BCCI announcement; no invented information.