Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns as India announce T20I and India A squads for New Zealand series

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the Indian T20I set-up after almost four years to lead the squads announced for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.Bhuvneshwar’s recall comes after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign where he took 28 wickets. His last T20I appearance for India also came against New Zealand in Napier on 22 November 2022.The 36-year-old now has the opportunity to make his international comeback against the same opposition.

Bhuvneshwar returns to the India setup

Bhuvneshwar’s return is the biggest talking point from the selection announcement. His experience with the new ball adds another dimension to India’s pace attack, which also features Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the T20I side with Tilak Varma as his deputy. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are also part of the team.

A five-match T20I series

India will play five T20Is in New Zealand, starting in Christchurch on October 22. The series will then move to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.DateMatchPlace 221 Oct T20IChristchurch 242 Oct T20IChristchurch 273 Oct T20IWellington 304 Oct T20IAuckland 15 Nov T20IHamilton

Jaiswal, Rahul and Pant headline the India A squad

The India A team has several established names including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain, while Pant’s participation remains subject to medical clearance.India A will play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A starting in Lincoln on October 24.DatesMatchVenue October 24-271 Multi-dayLincoln October 31-32 November Multi-day Christchurch 7-103 November MultidayLincolnThe BCCI said that the Indian squads for the upcoming ODI and Test series against New Zealand will be announced later.Team India T20I: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Varthy Singh, B Chaunk Yadav, Arshdeep Varthy Singh, B Chaun Yadav.India A Team: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant (WK)*, Dhruv Jurel (C/WK), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Yash Rash Sudarsan,*Depending on condition.