Brief
India names 16-player Test squad for New Zealand series, omits five 2020 tour veterans
The squad includes returning bowler Jasprit Bumrah and newcomer Akash Deep, while five members of the 2020 New Zealand tour are not selected.
By Felo News Desk · Published
India unveiled a 16‑member squad on Friday, October 16, for the two‑Test series against New Zealand, with the first match slated for Wellington on November 19 and the second in Christchurch on November 27, according to Sportskeeda.
What happened
The board confirmed the inclusion of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who had been rested for the recent T20I and ODI squads, and all‑rounder Akash Deep, returning after an injury lay‑off that saw his last appearance in August 2025. Batsman Sai Sudharsan also rejoined the side after missing the Sri Lanka series, and seamer Anshul Kamboj from Haryana earned a place.
What the reports add
Sportskeeda highlighted five players who featured in the 2020 New Zealand tour but were omitted this time: Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw. Vihari, a right‑hand batter, played both 2020 matches, scoring 86 runs at 21.50, but has not featured in Tests since July 2022. Ishant Sharma, the Delhi pacer, took five wickets in one 2020 match at an average of 15.20; his last Test was in November 2021 against New Zealand in Kanpur. Mohammed Shami, who bowled in both 2020 Tests, claimed five wickets at 36.60 and last played internationally in the 2023 World Test Championship final. Mayank Agarwal, the leading run‑scorer for India on the 2020 tour with 102 runs, last appeared in a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2022. Prithvi Shaw’s 2020 figures were 98 runs across four innings.
What was said
No direct quotations were provided in the source article.
How it came about
The current selection follows a period of rotation that saw Bumrah rested for limited‑overs squads and Akash Deep recovering from injury. The omission of the five 2020 veterans aligns with recent commentary from former players, such as R Ashwin’s criticism of Shami’s exclusion from the New Zealand tour, reported in a Felo News article dated October 17, 2026.
Key facts
- India announced a 16‑member Test squad for the New Zealand series on October 16, 2026. (sportskeeda.com)
- Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep were included after being rested or recovering from injury. (sportskeeda.com)
- Five players from the 2020 New Zealand tour—Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw—were left out. (sportskeeda.com)
- The first Test will be in Wellington on November 19, the second in Christchurch on November 27. (sportskeeda.com)
Sources
- [1] sportskeeda.com — originally reported as “5 players not in India's squad for NZ vs IND 2026 Tests who were part of the 2020 away series ft. Mohammed Shami”
