New Zealand have named a pace-heavy, near full-strength Black Caps squad to face India at home, with Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell headline inclusions and several World Cup names squeezed out.
Finn Allen will again set the tone at the top of the order, this time with Tim Seifert for company. Allen’s powerplay aggression remains central to New Zealand’s white-ball identity, while Seifert arrives on a high after being named player of the tournament in England’s “The Hundred”, where he steered Manchester Super Giants to the title before sealing a Big Bash move to the Sydney Sixers. That’s not just form, that’s momentum.
Behind them, the shape of the squad makes one thing clear: New Zealand want speed. Lots of it.
Milne headlines fast-bowling core
Milne’s recall jumps off the team sheet. The 34-year-old quick was picked in New Zealand’s initial 15-man squad for this year’s World Cup, only to be ruled out through injury. Now he returns at the heart of a seven-strong fast-bowling group built to stretch India in Kiwi conditions.
He joins Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith in a battery that offers every variety of pace: hit-the-deck hostility, heavy length, and enough new-ball skill to challenge India’s vaunted top order.
Foulkes and Smith are rewarded with places after missing out on the World Cup. Both now step into an attack that will be rotated across a demanding run of fixtures, with the coaching staff keen to spread the workload.
Ben Sears, another genuine quick, remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Bracewell back, Ravindra sidelined
In the allround department, Michael Bracewell’s return is just as significant. The off-spinning allrounder was forced out of the World Cup squad through injury, and his comeback adds balance and nous in the middle overs, as well as depth with the bat.
His inclusion, though, leaves no room for Cole McConchie. The off-spinning allrounder impressed as an injury replacement in India and Sri Lanka, but the squeeze at the selection table has gone against him this time.
Rachin Ravindra, one of New Zealand’s breakout stars of the year, is a notable absentee. A freak shoulder injury suffered while fulfilling commercial commitments last week has ruled him out of this series. The expectation is that he will be fit in time for the five-match one-day international series starting at the beginning of November, but for now New Zealand must plan without his left-handed class and allround utility.
His place goes to Bevon Jacobs, one of three players overlooked for the World Cup but now drafted in as New Zealand adjust their resources for a home assignment.
Big calls: Sodhi, Neesham left out
Not everyone from the World Cup tour makes the cut. Ish Sodhi and Jimmy Neesham have both been left out of this squad, underlining the level of competition for places and the specific tactical lean towards pace and seam-friendly conditions.
Head coach Rob Walter made the intent clear.
“India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting,” Walter said. He expects packed houses across the series. “We hear most of the games are going to be sold out and it should make for some incredible occasions.
“We’ve got a near full-strength squad that covers all bases and I’m excited to see how we compete against the current T20 world champions.
“Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months.
“We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads.”
Santner to marshal a deep group
Mitchell Santner captains a group stacked with all-round options and middle-order firepower. Alongside Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips bring heavy-hitting and flexibility, while Mark Chapman adds left-handed stability and Devon Conway anchors the top order.
It is a squad built not just to compete with India, but to stretch them: pace at both ends, spin threats in Santner and Bracewell, and a batting order capable of both consolidation and explosion.
Sold-out grounds. The current T20 world champions in town. A Black Caps side close to full strength and bristling with fast bowlers.
If New Zealand want to lay down a marker for the next phase of their white-ball era, this is the stage.
