Gurnoor Brar Joins India's Test Squad for New Zealand Series

Gurnoor Brar Added to Test Squad

Wellington [New Zealand], November 14: The Men's Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially included fast bowler Gurnoor Brar in the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which kicks off on November 19 in Wellington. Gurnoor will now join the Test team and will miss the fifth ODI match. The selection committee has opted not to appoint a replacement for the final ODI.

Additionally, the BCCI has announced that veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be released from the Test squad to participate in domestic cricket in India. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has rejoined the Indian Test squad in Wellington.

"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," the BCCI statement confirmed.

Earlier reports indicated that Pant received medical clearance from the BCCI after recovering from a side strain he sustained during the Irani Cup in Srinagar, which took place 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 (CoE) in Bengaluru since October 23.

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