Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India T20I squad for New Zealand tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The primary focus is the 16-member T20I squad, which features the return of veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar after a nearly four-year absence from the format. Kumar’s recall follows strong performances in the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of the T20I side, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.

In addition to the T20I squad, the BCCI announced the India A team for three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. This squad includes several established Test players such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Washington Sundar. The tour is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2026, and will include five T20Is, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches.

Notable omissions and inclusions include the return of spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to the T20I squad and the resting of Jasprit Bumrah to prepare for the longer formats. The India A matches are set to take place between October 24 and November 10.