India have named their 16-member Test squad for the tour of New Zealand, with Shubman Gill captain and KL Rahul vice-captain. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is included, but his place is subject to fitness clearance.
India’s Test Squad vs New Zealand 2026
Batters: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (WK)*, Dhruv Jurel (WK)
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
Fast bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj
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Gill Leads, Rahul Deputises
Gill has been given the red-ball captaincy for this tour. Shubman Gill will captain India in the ODI and Test teams, while Shreyas Iyer will lead the T20I side. Rahul, one of the senior batters in the group, is Gill’s deputy.
Pant’s Fitness and the Keeping Options
Pant’s inclusion carries the fitness caveat, and Dhruv Jurel gives the selectors a second wicketkeeper if Pant is not cleared. Jurel’s presence also means the team management has options for the gloves and the middle order.
Batting Options
Jaiswal and Rahul look the natural openers, with Gill, Padikkal and Sudharsan competing for the middle-order spots. Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy add depth at Nos. 6 to 8 and give the side bowling flexibility.
Pace-Heavy Attack
Five fast bowlers have been picked, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj are the other seamers. Kuldeep Yadav is the only specialist spinner, with Jadeja and Washington as spin-bowling all-rounders. The balance suggests India expect seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand.
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Tour Background and the History Against New Zealand
India and New Zealand begin a 12-match multi-format series on October 22. The tour moves into red-ball cricket with two Tests against the hosts. The Tests are expected to come late in the tour, so the squad will have little time to adjust from white-ball cricket.
The record in New Zealand is a concern for India. They last won a game or a series there on the 2008-09 tour. The two sides last met in Tests during New Zealand’s 2024 tour of India, and India’s last Test win over them came at the Wankhede in December 2021.
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