New Zealand Unveils Squad for T20I Series Against India

New Zealand has officially announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against India, set to begin on October 22. Led by captain Mitchell Santner, the team features a strong pace attack and includes key players returning from injury. The series is part of India's extensive tour, which also includes ODIs and Tests. With over 76,000 tickets already sold, excitement is building for this highly anticipated matchup. Notably, Rachin Ravindra will miss the series due to injury, while Tim Seifert and Finn Allen reunite at the top of the batting order after their impressive performances in the T20 World Cup.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 06:44 IST

New Zealand's T20I Squad Announcement

New Zealand has revealed a 16-member team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, featuring a robust pace attack as the highlight of the first BLACKCAPS squad of the home summer.

Mitchell Santner, the captain for white-ball formats, will lead this expanded T20I squad, which is set to kick off on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The series will span across four cities over an 11-day period, as reported by New Zealand Cricket.

This T20I series is part of India's extensive 12-match tour of New Zealand, which also includes five ODIs and two Test matches.

New Zealand Cricket has noted that over 76,000 tickets have already been sold for the tour, a month prior to the first match.

Our T20I squad to face India in the five-match Hero VIDA T20I series, Powered by Ai+ Nova Smartphone, starting on Thursday 22 October at Hagley Oval. pic.twitter.com/KIBdZA3LMz — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 23, 2026

Squad Composition and Player Updates

Thirteen players from the New Zealand squad that finished as runners-up to India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year have been retained.

Key Player Returns

Spin all-rounder Michael Bracewell and pacer Adam Milne are making a comeback after missing the World Cup due to injuries.

Milne, aged 34, has participated in 243 T20 matches, including 56 at the international level. He returns to the national team after last playing against Zimbabwe over a year ago. He joins a seasoned pace lineup that includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy, along with younger bowlers Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith.

Injury Concerns

Batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra will miss the T20I series due to a dislocated right shoulder sustained during a promotional shoot last week. His recovery is expected to take around six weeks, with hopes of returning for the ODI series against India starting on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland.

Pacer Ben Sears was also excluded from selection as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Top Order Strength

Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen will reunite at the top of the batting order for the first time since their successful run at the T20 World Cup.

Allen scored a remarkable unbeaten century off just 33 balls against South Africa in the semi-final at Eden Gardens, while Seifert contributed 58 runs off 33 balls, leading New Zealand to a nine-wicket victory.

Seifert was recognized as the Player of the Tournament in The Hundred, amassing 394 runs at a strike rate of 168, including a match-winning 72 off 38 balls in the final.

New Zealand's T20I Squad for the India Series

The squad includes: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, and Nathan Smith.