The Indian selection committee will meet next week to pick the squads for India vs New Zealand. This tour is notable because it marks 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries. It is also the biggest bilateral series New Zealand have ever hosted.
The tour runs for 40 days, from October 22 to December 1, 2026. There are five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. The matches will be played across five cities. The T20Is start in Christchurch for the first two games. The next three are in Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton. The ODIs are in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui, which hosts the last two. The two Tests are in Wellington and Christchurch.
There is some doubt over Prasidh Krishna. He hurt his hamstring during the ODI series against West Indies. His selection depends on getting fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence. The injury is not thought to be serious enough to rule him out completely. Mukesh Kumar also has a hamstring issue from late September. He will need clearance as well before he can be fully considered.
The white-ball squads will likely be different from the Test squad. Some key fast bowlers, including Bumrah, Siraj, and Prasidh, may be rested for parts of the ODI series. This is to manage their workload ahead of the Tests. Shubman Gill is expected to stay as captain. Shreyas Iyer could lead the side in some white-ball matches if Gill is rested.
India Consider Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep for New Zealand Tests
India may pick two Bengal fast bowlers for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand. Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep are both in the running. The team management, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, wants more pace options. Both bowlers have made a strong case with their recent performances.
Mukesh Kumar did well in the Irani Cup. That has brought him back into the selection picture. Akash Deep was already seen as an important option for New Zealand. He is returning after a long injury break. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the two are among the top candidates for India’s 16 or 17-member Test squad.
The selection committee is expected to meet next week. They will finalise the squads for India vs New Zealand. Gambhir and his team have been watching the bowlers closely. They will share their views with the selectors.
There is one concern for Mukesh. He suffered a hamstring injury in late September. He will need clearance from the Centre of Excellence before he can be considered fully fit.
Both bowlers played a big role in the Irani Cup. Rest of India beat Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs. Mukesh was the best bowler. He took eight wickets in the match, including 6 for 33. That was his 11th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Akash Deep also did well. He took six wickets in the match. He had been out for about seven months. His spell of 3 for 25 in nine overs made an early impact.
The two are likely to be considered along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. India wants a strong pace attack for the two-Test series. That series starts on November 19, 2026. It is an important part of India’s World Test Championship campaign.
Pragyan Ojha Likely to Lead India’s Selection for New Zealand Tour
Ajit Agarkar’s time as India’s chief selector has ended. His contract with the BCCI expired on Sunday, October 4, 2026. With the top post now vacant, Pragyan Ojha is expected to take charge of the selection committee for the upcoming New Zealand tour.
Ojha is currently the senior-most member of the panel in terms of Test experience. He played 24 Tests for India. Shiv Sundar Das is next with 23 Tests. RP Singh played 14, and Ajay Ratra played six. Because of this, Ojha has been asked to lead the four-member committee for now.
He is reportedly one of the candidates being considered for the full-time chief selector job. For now, he is handling the responsibility on an interim basis. The New Zealand tour is an important one. India are already building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. So the selection meeting will carry extra weight.
Ojha was a left-arm spinner during his playing days. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2008. He had a bigger impact in Test cricket. He played 24 Tests for India. In total, he played 48 international matches and took 144 wickets across formats. After retiring, he moved into cricket administration. He joined the BCCI selection committee in September 2025.
FAQs
Q. When will India select the squads for the New Zealand tour?
A. The selection committee will meet next week.
Q. How many matches will India play in New Zealand?
A. India will play 12 matches.
Q. Which two Bengal fast bowlers are in contention for the Tests?
A. Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep are in contention.
Q. Who is expected to lead the selection committee?
A. Pragyan Ojha is expected to lead the panel.
Q. When does the Test series against New Zealand start?
A. The Test series starts on November 19, 2026.
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