New Zealand have named their squads for the upcoming tour of India, featuring a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series, as the Black Caps prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7. The series is seen as a key opportunity for players to adjust to sub-continental conditions ahead of the global tournament.
Mitchell Santner will captain New Zealand in the T20Is as he continues his comeback from injury, while Michael Bracewell takes charge of the ODI squad.
T20I Squad vs India:
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi
ODI Squad vs India:
Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young
The squads feature a mix of experienced campaigners returning to action and emerging talents rewarded for strong performances, including Jayden Lennox, Kristian Clarke, Bevon Jacobs, and Tim Robinson. Kyle Jamieson will play across both formats following his recovery, while Mark Chapman and Matt Henry return for the T20Is.
Several senior players, including Jacob Duffy, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will O’Rourke, and Blair Tickner, have been rested or ruled out for workload management as New Zealand balances a busy international calendar that also includes the ICC World Test Championship. The T20I squad will be strengthened later in the series as players complete their franchise commitments, allowing the team to field a near full-strength side ahead of final T20 World Cup selections in mid-January.
Head coach Rob Walter emphasized the importance of touring India ahead of the World Cup. “Playing in the subcontinent is very different from New Zealand conditions. Any opportunity to expose our guys to these conditions is invaluable, especially before a T20 World Cup in the subcontinent,” he said.
The tour also marks a milestone for uncapped left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, who earns his first international call-up, alongside Kristian Clarke, another newcomer to the ODI squad.
This series provides an ideal platform for New Zealand to fine-tune their squad and strategies, while giving emerging players exposure to challenging spin-friendly conditions that are expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup.
