From Sportstar · Sahil Mathur · · 2m
India’s New Zealand Tour: Squad Shifts Signal World Cup Prep
India’s ODI and Test squads for New Zealand tour reveal strategic shifts ahead of 2027 World Cup.
In brief
India’s ODI and Test squads for New Zealand tour reveal strategic shifts ahead of 2027 World Cup. India’s selectors prioritize World Test Championship qualification by splitting squads for New Zealand tour. Originally reported by Sportstar.
India’s New Zealand Tour Begins
India’s tour of New Zealand starts October 22 with five T20Is, five ODIs, two Tests and three multi-day ‘A’ games.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns After Four Years
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, returns to international cricket after nearly four years away following injury.
ODI Squad Split for Test Priority
India splits ODI squad with Shreyas Iyer as captain for first three matches before Test series.
Jadeja Omitted from ODI Squads
Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 99 runs and three wickets in eight games, is excluded from ODI squads.
Axar Patel Replaces Jadeja in ODI Squads
Axar Patel takes over Jadeja’s role in ODI squads while focusing on both formats.
Kushagra’s Maiden Call-Up
Kushagra earns his first international call-up after scoring 1,387 runs in 35 List A innings.
Shami and Suthar Omitted from Squads
Mohammed Shami and Manav Suthar are left out of all squads despite recent performances.
Kuldeep Yadav Across All Formats
Kuldeep Yadav plays in all formats and games, testing his workload across the tour.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Focuses on Red-Ball
Yashasvi Jaiswal is asked to focus on red-ball cricket before joining the Test squad.
Kushagra’s Dual Role in Tour
Kushagra plays two ‘A’ games before joining the Test squad for the final two ODIs.
Kuldeep’s Spin Strategy for Tests
Kuldeep Yadav is expected to play a key role in Tests with recent County Championship experience.
Suthar’s Omission Surprising
Suthar’s omission is surprising given his 23 wickets in Tests and ability to generate drift and dip.
Kushagra’s IPL Experience
Kushagra has played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, adding to his international profile.
India’s World Cup Qualification at Stake
India’s qualification for the World Test Championship final hangs in the balance during this tour.
The short version
India’s selectors prioritize World Test Championship qualification by splitting squads for New Zealand tour.
