India A will play three four-day unofficial Tests against New Zealand A from October 24, with Dhruv Jurel leading a strong squad that includes KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. The series will be played at Lincoln and Christchurch and ends on November 10, just nine days before India’s senior Test series in New Zealand begins.
The BCCI picked a 15-member squad with as many as nine players who are also part of India’s Test squad for the two Tests against New Zealand. That makes the India A series an important warm-up for several senior players, who will get valuable match time in New Zealand conditions before the first Test at Wellington on November 19.
India A vs New Zealand A 2026 Schedule
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st unofficial Test | October 24 to 27 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln | 3:00 AM |
| 2nd unofficial Test | October 31 to November 3 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:00 AM |
| 3rd unofficial Test | November 7 to 10 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln | 3:00 AM |
Play is expected to begin at 10:30 AM local time each day, which is 3:00 AM in India, as New Zealand is seven and a half hours ahead of IST during its summer time. All three matches are red-ball games, and there are no white-ball fixtures on the India A tour.
India A Squad for New Zealand Tour
Dhruv Jurel (captain, wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Yash Rathod, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep, Auqib Nabi, Mukesh Choudhary, Mukesh Kumar.
Why Dhruv Jurel Is Captain Over KL Rahul
The biggest talking point from the squad is the captaincy. Despite the presence of senior players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, the selectors have handed the leadership to Dhruv Jurel. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper has led India A in the past and captained Central Zone in the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, and the move is being seen as part of the selectors’ plan to build future leaders.
Senior Test Players in the India A Squad
Nine players in the India A squad are also part of India’s Test squad for the New Zealand series. They are KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.
For these players, the series is a chance to adjust to the bounce, swing and wind in New Zealand before the real Tests. Rishabh Pant’s fitness will be closely watched, as he has been named in both the India A and Test squads subject to fitness clearance.
KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj are also in India’s squad for the first three ODIs, which run from November 4 to 10. As those games overlap with the second and third unofficial Tests, both are likely to feature mainly in the early part of the India A series.
New Players to Watch
The squad also gives a chance to some exciting young names. Karnataka batter Ravichandran Smaran and Vidarbha’s Yash Rathod have earned their places on the back of their domestic form, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar adds variety to a pace-heavy attack. Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi and left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary will look to impress in conditions that usually suit fast bowlers.
India A vs New Zealand A Venues
Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, just outside Christchurch, hosts the first and third matches. The ground sits on the open Canterbury plains, where the wind and cool spring mornings usually help seam bowlers early in the day. Hagley Oval in Christchurch hosts the second match and will also be the venue for the second senior Test between India and New Zealand from November 27.
New Zealand A Squad
New Zealand Cricket is yet to announce the New Zealand A squad for the series. It is expected to include players on the fringe of the Test team, along with a few senior names looking for match practice.
India A vs New Zealand A Live Streaming and Telecast
The broadcast details for the India A tour of New Zealand have not been announced yet. In the past, India A matches abroad have often not been shown live on TV in India. This section will be updated if a broadcaster or streaming platform confirms coverage.
For the full fixtures of the senior series, including the T20Is, ODIs and Tests, read the complete India vs New Zealand 2026 schedule.
