New Zealand have announced their 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series against India, and there is plenty to talk about in the selection. The biggest headline is the return of experienced fast bowler Adam Milne, who is back in the Blackcaps setup after more than a year away from international cricket.
Mitchell Santner will captain the New Zealand side as the hosts prepare for a major home assignment against the reigning T20 world champions. The five-match series will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and will be played across four cities over 11 days.
The New Zealand squad includes a strong mix of experience and youth. Thirteen members of the side were also part of the New Zealand team that finished runners-up to India at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne are both back after missing that tournament because of injuries.
Adam Milne makes his international comeback
For New Zealand fans, the return of Adam Milne is one of the most interesting developments. The 34-year-old pacer last played international cricket for the Blackcaps against Zimbabwe more than a year ago.
Milne has considerable experience in the shortest format, having played 243 T20 matches, including 56 internationals. His return gives New Zealand another genuine pace option alongside Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy. Young pacers Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith are also part of the squad.
That means New Zealand have selected a seven-member pace group for the India series. The depth will be particularly useful during a five-match series packed into just 11 days.
Milne’s ability to generate pace and attack batters with the new ball could make him an important option in New Zealand conditions. However, his actual workload and role will depend on team combinations and his fitness after the long international break.
Michael Bracewell also returns
Milne is not the only experienced player returning to the New Zealand T20 setup. Michael Bracewell has also been included after missing the 2026 T20 World Cup because of injury.
Bracewell adds another dimension to the team because of his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. His return gives Santner another experienced all-round option in the middle overs.
The squad also contains established names such as Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are expected to provide plenty of attacking intent at the top of the order.
Seifert comes into the series after an impressive period in franchise cricket. He was named Player of the Tournament in The Hundred after scoring 394 runs at a strike rate of 168, including a 72-run knock from just 38 balls in the final.
Finn Allen is another player India will have to keep an eye on. During the 2026 T20 World Cup, Allen produced a spectacular unbeaten century from just 33 balls against South Africa in the semi-final.
Rachin Ravindra ruled out
While New Zealand have received positive news with the return of Milne and Bracewell, they have also suffered a significant setback.
Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the T20I series after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in Auckland on September 16. Initial medical assessments found no major structural damage, but he is expected to undergo a rehabilitation period of around six weeks.
New Zealand are hopeful that Ravindra can return for the ODI series against India, which begins on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland.
For the Blackcaps, managing Ravindra’s recovery carefully will be important because the team faces a busy international schedule in the coming months. Head coach Rob Walter has indicated that the priority is not to rush the all-rounder back before he is ready.
Ravindra was part of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year, so his absence removes another proven all-round option from Santner’s group.
New Zealand T20I squad vs India
Mitchell Santner will lead a 16-player squad featuring several familiar faces from the World Cup campaign.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert and Nathan Smith.
One notable absence is Ben Sears, who continues to recover from an ankle injury and was not considered for selection.
The squad’s biggest strength is arguably its bowling depth. Along with Milne’s return, New Zealand can call upon Ferguson, Henry, Jamieson and Duffy, while Foulkes and Smith provide younger pace options.
India vs New Zealand T20I schedule
The five-match T20I series will begin in Christchurch before moving to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton. The opening two matches will be played at Hagley Oval.
India vs New Zealand T20I series:
- October 22: 1st T20I – Christchurch
- October 24: 2nd T20I – Christchurch
- October 27: 3rd T20I – Wellington
- October 30: 4th T20I – Auckland
- November 1: 5th T20I – Hamilton
The first match at Hagley Oval will be particularly interesting because it will be the first meeting between the two sides since India’s victory over New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand Cricket has also reported strong early ticket demand for the wider 12-match India tour, which includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. More than 76,000 tickets had already been sold around a month before the opening match.
The tour therefore promises to be much bigger than just a five-match T20I contest. After the T20Is, the two sides will meet in five ODIs before finishing the tour with two Tests.
For India, the series will provide an early opportunity to test themselves in New Zealand conditions. For the Blackcaps, it is a chance to respond on home soil against the team that defeated them in the T20 World Cup final.
With Adam Milne returning, Michael Bracewell back in the squad and a deep pace attack ready for the challenge, New Zealand have plenty of firepower. At the same time, the absence of Rachin Ravindra means the hosts will have to find another way to cover his all-round contribution.
The combination of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert at the top, experienced players such as Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips in the middle, and a seven-man pace group makes this a fascinating squad on paper.
The real question will be how New Zealand use that depth across five matches in just 11 days.
For cricket fans, the wait is now on for October 22.
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