Gurnoor Brar Joins Indian Test Squad for New Zealand Series

The BCCI has announced that fast bowler Gurnoor Brar will join India's Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, starting November 19. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has also rejoined the team after recovering from an injury. The Indian squad is set for an exciting series, with Shubman Gill leading the Test side. Read on for more details about the team composition and upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 14, 2026, 10:30 IST

Gurnoor Brar Added to India's Test Squad

Wellington [New Zealand], November 14: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the inclusion of fast bowler Gurnoor Brar in the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, commencing on November 19 in Wellington.

Brar will join the Test team and will not participate in the fifth ODI. The selection committee has opted not to name a replacement for the final ODI. Additionally, veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the Test squad to engage in domestic cricket in India.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has also arrived in Wellington to join the Indian Test squad.

According to the BCCI, “The Men’s Selection Committee has added Gurnoor Brar to the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting November 19, 2026, in Wellington. Kuldeep Yadav will be released from the Test squad to play ongoing domestic cricket back in India. Gurnoor will now link up with the Test squad and will not be available for the fifth ODI. There will be no replacement for the final ODI.”

Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, has joined the Test squad members in Wellington, as confirmed by the BCCI.

Pant recently received medical clearance from the BCCI after recovering from a side strain he sustained during the Irani Cup held in Srinagar from October 1 to 4, where he captained the Rest of India team. He had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since October 23. He was included in both the Test squad for the New Zealand tour and the India A squad for four-day matches against New Zealand A, pending fitness clearance.

Initially, Pant was expected to participate in the third fixture of the four-day matches between India A and New Zealand A, played from November 7 to 10. However, his rehabilitation was extended as the BCCI medical team determined he required more time at the Centre of Excellence for a fitness assessment.

India is currently engaged in a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with the fifth ODI scheduled for Sunday. Following this, both teams will compete in a two-Test series starting November 19.

Shubman Gill will captain the Indian side in the Test series, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. The squad includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Gurnoor Brar.

For the fifth ODI, Shreyas Iyer will lead the Indian team, with Ishan Kishan as vice-captain. The squad also features Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav.

India's updated Test squad includes: Shubman Gill [C], Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul [VC], Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Gurnoor Brar.

India's updated ODI squad for the fifth ODI consists of: Shreyas Iyer [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav.