India T20I Squad New Zealand Series 2026: Injury Replacements, Full Squad & Schedule Updates

The India T20I squad for the New Zealand series has undergone crucial changes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announces injury replacements. This five-match T20I series starting January 21 is India’s final bilateral contest before the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Addressing sudden injuries to key players, the squad reshuffle aims to optimize team balance and final preparations under captain Suryakumar Yadav. In this detailed guide, we cover injury updates, replacements, full squad details, match schedule, and what these changes mean ahead of the T20 World Cup.

India T20I Squad Injury Replacements Ahead of New Zealand Series

Two vital Indian players, Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma, have been ruled out due to injuries, a significant blow since both are part of the World Cup squad. Washington Sundar suffered a side strain during the first ODI on January 11 in Vadodara, diagnosed as a lower rib discomfort and is now undergoing rest and rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Tilak Varma underwent abdominal surgery on January 7 in Rajkot and is currently stable but recovering.

To fill these gaps, the BCCI has included Ravi Bishnoi for the entire series and Shreyas Iyer for the first three T20Is. These replacements bring both experience and vital spin options, very important given the spin-friendly Asian conditions.

Key Injury Details

Washington Sundar: Side strain, out for rest and rehab
Tilak Varma: Abdominal surgery, recovering but ruled out

Replacement Players

Ravi Bishnoi: Added for full five-match series
Shreyas Iyer: Added for first three T20Is only

Updated India T20I Squad vs New Zealand 2026

Under the leadership of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Axar Patel, the full revised squad for the T20I series reads as follows:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
Shreyas Iyer (First three T20Is)
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dube
Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
Rinku Singh
Jasprit Bumrah
Harshit Rana
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Varun Chakaravarthy
Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
Ravi Bishnoi

India vs New Zealand T20I Series Schedule 2026

Each match is scheduled for a 7:00 PM IST start, spread across five venues to test team adaptability.

Match	Date	Venue
1st T20I	January 21	Nagpur (VCA Stadium)
2nd T20I	January 23	Raipur
3rd T20I	January 25	Guwahati
4th T20I	January 28	Visakhapatnam
5th T20I	January 31	Thiruvananthapuram

Context: Importance of the Series Before ICC T20 World Cup 2026

This series represents India’s last bilateral T20I engagement before the World Cup, making it a critical examination of team dynamics, player fitness, and strategy. Under immense home-soil pressure, especially after the past ODI World Cup disappointments, fine-tuning the squad is vital.

The inclusion of players like Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi signals BCCI’s intent to sharpen the middle-order batting and spin attack in subcontinental conditions—important factors to counter top opponents like Pakistan and other strong teams in Group A.

T20 World Cup 2026 Groups and Fixtures at a Glance

India’s Group A: Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA (Opener vs USA)
New Zealand’s Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa, Canada, UAE (Opener vs Afghanistan on Feb 8)

What These Changes Mean for Fantasy Cricket and Fans

The emergence of replacements like Ravi Bishnoi’s leg-spin prowess and Shreyas Iyer’s middle-order versatility creates fresh intrigue for fantasy cricket enthusiasts aiming to optimize their teams. Fans can expect to witness a high-stakes audition environment where every player is eager to secure a World Cup berth.

The sudden nature of the injuries adds an emotional twist—urgency and opportunity blend to spark excitement and speculation. Both replacements will be under pressure to perform in spin-friendly venues, a test that could shape World Cup squad finalization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why were Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma ruled out of the India T20I squad?

Washington Sundar was sidelined due to a side strain caused by lower rib discomfort during the first ODI, while Tilak Varma underwent abdominal surgery and is currently recovering. Both have been advised rest and rehabilitation, ruling them out of the series.

2. Who replaced the injured players in the India T20I team for the New Zealand series?

Ravi Bishnoi has been named as a replacement for the full series, and Shreyas Iyer will join for the first three T20Is to strengthen the spin attack and middle-order batting, respectively.

3. When and where is the India vs New Zealand T20I series taking place?

The series begins on January 21, 2026, and includes five matches held across Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, all starting at 7:00 PM IST.

4. How important is this New Zealand T20I series for India’s World Cup preparations?

This is India’s last bilateral T20I series before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, making it critical to finalize the squad selection, test player form, and build team strategies in home conditions known to favor spin bowling.

5. What is India’s group composition in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, and the USA, with the opening match against the USA scheduled for February 7, 2026.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Outlook for the Series

The India T20I squad update ahead of the New Zealand series underscores the unpredictable nature of international cricket, where injuries can shift team dynamics overnight. BCCI’s prompt action in bringing in Ravi Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer offers a balance of youth and experience.

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, this five-match series is a final proving ground. Fans, selectors, and fantasy players alike will watch closely as India adapts to disruptions and tests squad depth in preparation for the big tournament on home soil.

For continuous updates about the India squad, injuries, and schedule, visit the official BCCI announcement.