Gill and Iyer to Share Captaincy as India Name ODI, Test Squads for New Zealand Tour
India named their squads in Mumbai on Friday for the five-match ODI series and two-Test tour of New Zealand. Shubman Gill captains the first three ODIs; Shreyas Iyer takes over for the last two.
Jasprit Bumrah makes the Test squad but sits out the ODIs as India manage his workload. Rishabh Pant is also in the Test squad, subject to fitness clearance.
India New Zealand squads: why the captaincy is split
The split is practical. Gill leads the first three ODIs, then turns to red-ball preparation before the Tests. Iyer, his deputy for the opening games, takes charge of the last two in Mount Maunganui.
It also gives Iyer a leadership audition ahead of the 2027 World Cup, with Rohit and Kohli providing senior support. Harmanpreet Kaur recently stepped down as India captain across formats, so leadership change is a wider theme.
Bumrah rested from ODIs, Pant subject to fitness
Bumrah has not played a Test since November 2025, and India are managing him for the home Border-Gavaskar Trophy early next year and the 2027 World Cup in Africa. He last played at the Asian Games in Japan, where India won gold, and will finish fitness work at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence before the tour.
Pant is recovering from a side strain from the Irani Cup, which cost him the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. He should play the third unofficial Test in Lincoln from November 7 to 10, with Gill, Rahul and Kamboj also likely to feature.
India Test squad for New Zealand
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna (subject to fitness), Akash Deep, B Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
Akash Deep returns on Irani Cup and Ranji Trophy form. Kamboj is back after his Manchester debut in July 2025, and Sai Sudharsan returns from the toe injury that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka Tests. Manav Suthar misses out despite 16 wickets in four innings in Sri Lanka.
India ODI squads for New Zealand
First three ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna (subject to fitness) and Kuldeep Yadav.
Fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper and vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
Kumar Kushagra earns his maiden call-up for the last two ODIs. Auqib Nabi keeps his place after debuting against the West Indies in Guwahati, Arshdeep Singh returns from the T20I side, and Ravindra Jadeja drops out.
Prasidh Krishna is in both squads but his ODI availability is subject to fitness clearance after a hamstring strain. Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar miss out; Bhuvneshwar, who will lead India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, joins the T20I series starting October 22.
Series schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 4 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | November 7 | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | November 10 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | November 13 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 5th ODI | November 15 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 1st Test | November 19 | Wellington |
| 2nd Test | November 27 | Christchurch |
All five ODIs begin at 7:30am IST, according to the Times of India.
Why this tour matters
The Tests carry World Test Championship weight, with India needing a strong finish to keep their final hopes alive.
The ODIs double as early auditions for the 2027 World Cup. New faces like Kushagra, Nabi, Brar and Naman Dhir get a look in a settled squad, while the split captaincy gives selectors data on two leadership options. New Zealand will be weakened after Chapman and Foulkes were ruled out of the T20I leg, but India will remember the record 250-run chase they conceded to the West Indies in Ranchi.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain India in the ODI series against New Zealand?
Shubman Gill captains the first three ODIs. Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain for the opening matches, takes over for the fourth and fifth ODIs.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing the ODIs?
India are managing Bumrah’s workload. He is in the Test squad but misses the ODIs to stay fit for the home Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and the 2027 World Cup.
When does the India tour of New Zealand start?
The ODI series begins on November 4 in Auckland. The two-Test series starts on November 19 in Wellington.
Who are the new faces in India’s squads?
Kumar Kushagra has a maiden call-up for the last two ODIs. Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Naman Dhir are the other younger players included.
