India’s tour of New Zealand: Exposure for Test regulars to highlight selection meeting

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir works with selectors RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das and Ajay Ratra during a training session ahead of the second ODI cricket match between India and West Indies in Guwahati. NEW DELHI: India’s senior men’s selection committee is likely to meet in the next 48 hours to select four squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The meeting, to be chaired by interim chief selector Pragyan Ojha, was postponed from Monday due to pending reports on Prasidh Krishna’s fitness. The four selectors will meet soon to pick the T20I, ODI, Test and India A squads for the tour, which begins in the shortest format on October 22.TimesofIndia.com has learned that since Series A overlaps with T20Is and ODIs starting October 24, the selectors are sensitive to the availability and exposure situation. While they don’t want to dilute the two teams, giving test participants exposure to the red ball will be a top priority when they meet.Some India A bowlers may also stay back to help the Test team with their preparations. Spinners Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Vipraj Nigam and Shivang Kumar accompanied the Test team in Sri Lanka and this time the fast bowlers could be asked to stay back in New Zealand after their A allocation.After his heroics in the Irani Cup match against Jammu and Kashmir, Mukesh Kumar is back on the selectors’ radar and is likely to be included in the A team for three matches. Akash Deep will also be asked to play some games to be absolutely ready for the two Tests. The selectors are also considering the readiness of Jasprit Bumrah. As first reported by TimesofIndia.com, the management wants the fast bowler to increase his workload before joining the squad for the Wellington Test.The Ojha-led panel will be in a tight spot to deal with Bumrah’s situation as asking the bowler to play one of the A matches could weaken their ODI attack. The Ranji Trophy option was also on the table, but some decision-makers are uncomfortable letting him toil on the domestic circuit.

Ishan is back in the discussions

It is clear that the selectors have initiated plans to keep Ishan Kishan ready for the longest format. While they wanted him to feature in the A series, the overlap of ODIs and T20Is might force them to look at Dhruv Jurel and Kumar Kushagra. Rishabh Pant, who now plays only Tests, is expected to complete his preparation by playing at least one A game.

Chennai: East zone captain Ishan Kishan plays a shot on Day 4 of the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy final cricket match between South Zone and East Zone in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar) (PTI09_09_2026_000136A)

The left-hander will not be the only Test regular as KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are expected to feature in at least one match. Since KL will be part of the ODI squad, there is a strong possibility that he will play the first match from October 24 before joining the ODI squad in Auckland.

How many spinners?

Saransh Jain is unlikely to be considered with Washington Sundar back to full fitness, but the big question remains: how many spinners will the team carry? Ravindra Jadeja is expected to retain his place in the playing eleven, leaving the think tank with options Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav. All four are unlikely to take flight and the ax could fall on Kuldeep considering the batting focus of the team.More than a lot of spin-bowling all-rounders, it will make more sense to have someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy in the line-up and there is a strong possibility that the management will falter.

Sarfaraz Khan and Mukesh Kumar (BCCI in-house photo)

Too many fast!The Indian selectors will be happy with the fast bowling combination for the Tests. If all are fit and available, it will be up to the selectors to pick the most suitable options from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Akash Deep and Auqib Nabi. The odds heavily favor the top four for now, but an injury could open the door for both Nabi and Mukesh Kumar.

ODI depth

The ODI depth will also be tested as the Test regulars are likely to leave the team for at least one match if not both. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy could be unavailable, forcing the selectors to reward consistent performers in the domestic and A circuits.Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kushagra and Naman Dhir will remain in the mix. Also watch out for Mayank Yadav, who is making a strong case for himself with his improved workload and ability to sustain the pace over long spells.