The BCCI has announced the India Test squad for New Zealand two-Test series. The first Test starts on November 19 in Wellington. The second Test begins on November 27 in Christchurch. The series is important for India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.
Mohammed Shami has not been picked. The 36-year-old Bengal fast bowler took five wickets in his Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi last week. But the selectors have decided not to recall him. Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. There were questions about his fitness under the previous selection committee. Shami has said he is fit and ready to play.
Akash Deep is back in the Test squad. He has recovered from a stress fracture. He missed the entire IPL 2026. He played for Rest of India in the Irani Cup and for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. He is also part of the India A squad for the four-day matches in New Zealand.
Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Test squad. He last played a Test in November last year. He was rested for the white-ball series against the West Indies and the white-ball tour of New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant has been picked. But his availability depends on fitness. He had a side strain while leading the Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal are both in the squad. Padikkal did well in the Test series win in Sri Lanka in August. Sudharsan missed that series because of a toe injury.
India have kept their established spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Manav Suthar has been left out. Gurnoor Brar has also been dropped. Anshul Kamboj takes his place.
The BCCI also announced the ODI squad for the five-match series starting November 4. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in the squad. Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs. Shreyas Iyer will captain the last two. Gill, KL Rahul, and Prasidh Krishna will not play the final two ODIs.
India Test squad for New Zealand: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Why Mohammed Shami Is Not in the India Test squad for New Zealand
Mohammed Shami was not picked for any of India’s squads for the New Zealand tour. The selectors have concerns about his fitness and whether he can last in international cricket. Despite his strong domestic numbers, the committee seems to have moved on. They are looking at younger fast bowlers instead.
The biggest reason is that the selectors do not believe Shami can handle the physical demands of international cricket consistently. He has had injury problems since the 2023 World Cup. Former India cricketer R Ashwin said the selectors likely do not feel confident that Shami can maintain his bowling form and workload through to the 2027 World Cup. Ashwin pointed out that fast bowlers face a much heavier workload than batters. The team is prioritising bowlers who can handle the long grind.
Ashwin also said picking Mohammed Siraj for all five ODIs was a step in the right direction. Siraj has experience and reliability. That shows the team is looking forward, not back to Shami.
Shami’s exclusion is hard to understand because he has been excellent in domestic cricket. In the Ranji Trophy, he took 37 wickets in just 7 innings at an average of 16.72. Across all formats in the 2025-26 domestic season, he took 68 wickets. That included 37 in Ranji, 15 in Vijay Hazare, and 16 in Syed Mushtaq Ali. He also took a four-wicket haul in Bengal’s opening match of the 2026-27 Ranji season. That came just before the squad was announced.
The decision has caused backlash. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun defended Shami. He said a player with Shami’s international record should not have to prove his fitness or ability in domestic cricket. He argued that selectors should either pick him on form or not pick him, but the current situation is unfair to a veteran.
The two-Test series between New Zealand and India is set for late 2026. The first Test will be played from November 19 to 23 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The second Test follows from November 27 to December 1 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Both matches are part of the World Test Championship cycle.
FAQs
Q. Why was Mohammed Shami left out of the India Test squad for New Zealand?
A. Selectors reportedly have concerns about his fitness consistently.
Q. When will India play the two-Test series against New Zealand?
A. The Test starts on November 19 in Wellington and November 27 in Christchurch.
Q. Which Indian fast bowlers have returned to the Test squad?
A. Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep have returned to the squad.
Q. Who will captain India in the Test series against New Zealand?
A. Shubman Gill will captain India, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.
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