Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the India squad for New Zealand. He has been picked for the five-match series against New Zealand. The series starts on October 22 and ends on November 1. India play the first match in Christchurch.
Bhuvneshwar last played for India in November 2022. That was a T20I against New Zealand in Napier. He has not played for India in any format since then. He is 36 years old now.
His T20I record is strong. He has played 87 matches and taken 90 wickets. His average is 23.10 and his economy rate is 6.96. His best figures are 5 for 4. He has two five-wicket hauls in the format. Overall, he has played 229 international matches for India. He has taken 294 wickets across all formats. That includes 63 in Tests, 141 in ODIs, and 90 in T20Is.
Varun Chakaravarthy is also back. He missed the Asian Games because of an injury. India won gold at that tournament.
Shreyas Iyer will captain the team. Tilak Varma is the vice-captain. The batting group includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
For pace bowling, India have Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Prince Yadav. Bhuvneshwar is also there. Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy can also bowl seam.
In spin, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are the specialists. Axar Patel and Naman Dhir are also in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah is not part of this T20 squad.
India squad for New Zealand T20Is
The full India squad for New Zealand is Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Hardik Pandya Misses New Zealand T20I Series as Shin Injury Keeps India All-Rounder Out
Hardik Pandya is missing from India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series. He is still recovering from a fresh injury to his right shin. The injury is a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response. That means there is a problem with the shinbone. But scans show no fracture and no structural damage.
The injury stopped him from playing for India A against Australia A. He was first named in that squad, but his place depended on him being fit. He was later withdrawn. Medical staff at the Centre of Excellence told him to rest for two weeks.
This injury had already put his New Zealand tour in doubt. India play five T20Is from October 22 to November 1. Then they play three ODIs from November 4 to 15.
Hardik has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL. His last T20I for India was the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad in March. His absence means India will turn to other all-rounder options. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Naman Dhir are the players available for that role.
The squad also has some other changes. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side. Tilak Varma is his deputy. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after nearly four years. Varun Chakaravarthy is back after a side strain. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India T20I Squad: Linked to Ajit Agarkar’s Exit
A PTI report says Agarkar was not in favour of bringing Bhuvneshwar back. The veteran pacer had done well in the IPL. But Agarkar preferred to look forward and pick younger players. He did not want to look back at older players.
RP Singh is the Central Zone selector. He pushed for Bhuvneshwar, who is also from Uttar Pradesh. But RP Singh did not have enough support while Agarkar was in charge. Agarkar served as chief selector for over three years, from 2023 to 2026.
After Agarkar left, the situation changed. Pragyan Ojha took over as interim chairman. The other selectors were more open to Bhuvneshwar’s experience. This was especially true because Jasprit Bumrah is not available for the series.
Bhuvneshwar played a big role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL titles. He took 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 in 2026. His ability to swing the new ball makes him a valuable powerplay bowler. India have been lacking in that area recently.
The India Squad for New Zealand is almost the same as the one playing against the West Indies. Bhuvneshwar has been added as a 16th player. Ravi Bishnoi has been dropped. Kuldeep Yadav returns in his place.
His relationship with the BCCI had broken down. Reports say Agarkar sent a message to Rohit Sharma through Ojha about how the selectors wanted to move on from him. That did not go down well with the board. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia then said something different in public. After that, Agarkar did not ask for an extension. The board decided to move on.
Parthiv Patel is one of the names being considered for the full-time chief selector job. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
FAQs
Q. Who returned to India’s T20I squad?
A. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned after nearly four years.
Q. When did Bhuvneshwar last play for India?
A. Bhuvneshwar last played in November 2022.
Q. Who will captain India against New Zealand?
A. Shreyas Iyer will captain India.
Q. Why is Hardik Pandya missing the series?
A. Hardik is recovering from a right shin injury.
Q. When does the New Zealand T20I series start?
A. The series starts on October 22.
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