India is gearing up for a long tour of New Zealand, featuring five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests over the next two months, starting October 22.
While India has already announced its T20I squad, with the biggest takeaway being Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return after nearly three years, the ODI and Test squads are yet to be announced.
With multiple players injured or on the road to recovery, squad selection for the two formats could prove tricky given the length of the tour.
Here are the five talking points ahead of the announcement of India’s ODI and Test squads:
1) Who replaces Pant if Rishabh Pant remains injured?
Rishabh Pant sustained a left-side strain during the recently held Irani Cup clash between Rest of India and Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar. He was subsequently ruled out of the first two India A games against New Zealand, starting October 24. Pant’s availability for the third ‘A’ game will depend on his recovery.
If Pant isn’t fit for the Test series, Dhruv Jurel will likely become the first-choice wicketkeeper in India’s playing XI. With Ishan Kishan in great form lately across formats, he could be added to the Test squad as a backup wicketkeeper. In the Duleep Trophy final, Kishan led East Zone to a title-winning finish, scoring 270.
2) Bhuvneshwar for ODIs as well?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled for the New Zealand T20Is after last featuring for India in the format in November 2022. According to India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, the veteran pacer adds experience in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. However, with Indian pacers also struggling in the ODI format, Bhuvneshwar’s return to T20Is could open up the possibility of the 36-year-old returning to the 50-over format.
Also read | How Bhuvneshwar Kumar forced his way back into India’s T20I plans
However, Bhuvneshwar last played a List A match in December 2023. This could make his comeback difficult. The selectors, though, would keep an eye on his performances in the five T20Is and could add him later following further adjustments. In fact, he has also been added to the India squad for the fifth and final T20I against West Indies.
3) Will Bumrah play both ODIs and Tests?
Bumrah last played an ODI in England in July before getting injured. In Tests, he last featured against South Africa in November 2025. In T20Is, the pacer last played at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya earlier this month.
Also read | Breaking Point: The brutal math behind the fast bowler’s body
Given that both formats are equally important in this cycle, with qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final hanging in the balance and India building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, Bumrah’s participation in both formats would be crucial.
However, the selectors would also have to keep his fitness levels in mind. Ideally, India’s priority would be to play him in the two Tests. This could mean Bumrah won’t play all three ODIs. He has already been rested for the T20I series.
4) The all-rounder question
With Hardik Pandya still unfit, India will continue to look for his replacement in the ODI setup. Nitish Kumar Reddy is currently seen as the front-runner. However, with Nitish likely to play both Tests, India could opt for another pace-bowling all-rounder as backup.
There are questions over Harshit Rana’s fitness as well. The selectors would be looking at players who have recently played for India A, such as Suryansh Shedge, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi, to fill the No. 7 and No. 8 spots.
5) Will Mohammed Shami make a comeback?
Mohammed Shami last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final and has not played a Test since the 2023 World Test Championship final. However, he continues to make a strong case for a return to the red-ball side with his performances in domestic cricket.
In Bengal’s Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener against Delhi in Kalyani, Shami returned figures of 4/30 in the first innings to help bowl the opposition out for 240. Bengal went on to establish a 229-run lead, which proved crucial in its comprehensive victory. Shami was effective in the second innings too, taking 1/29 in 18 overs.
With India set to play a two-Test series in New Zealand, Shami’s form raises an important selection question. His ability to move the ball through the air and off the seam could be particularly valuable in conditions that traditionally favour swing and seam bowling. Will the selectors consider bringing the experienced pacer back into the Test setup?