Fast bowler Akash Deep is expected to be recalled to India's Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour, following a successful return to domestic cricket after a seven-month injury layoff. The selection committee is also set to pick squads for T20Is, ODIs, and India A's shadow tour.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir met with the National selection committee in Guwahati to discuss the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which includes T20Is, ODIs, and Tests, as well as an India A tour. The meeting highlights the importance of early preparations for the extensive series.
Hardik Pandya's comeback has suffered another setback after a fresh right-shin injury, ruling him out of New Zealand tour and forcing the all-rounder into another rehabilitation phase.
Tilak Varma discusses India's changing batting order, his preparation for the finisher's role and the positives from the West Indies T20I series ahead of New Zealand.
New Zealand recalled Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell for their upcoming T20 series against India, while Rachin Ravindra remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury sustained during a promotional shoot.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir indicated that top batters might be rested from white-ball cricket to prepare for Tests during the upcoming New Zealand tour. He emphasised the importance of Test cricket, the challenge of multi-format players, and discussed preparations for the 2027 World Cup, highlighting the crucial roles of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, and praising Shubman Gill's captaincy.
Legendary India spinner R Ashwin believes pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be dropped for the remaining T20I matches against New Zealand due to his poor performance in the series so far.
The marquee series against India starting late October has set the cash registers ringing at New Zealand Cricket headquarters as the parent body confirmed sale of more than 50,000 tickets since going on sale just over two weeks ago.
New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell lauded India opener Abhishek Sharma's "world-class hitting" after his century helped India secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the T20I series. Mitchell acknowledged the series loss but expressed hope for a fightback in the remaining two matches, while also reflecting on New Zealand's errors.
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi unleashed a stunning assault on New Zealand, powering India to a six-wicket win in Wellington on Tuesday with a 133-run opening stand and sealing the five-match T20I series 3-0. Captain Shreyas Iyer was effusive in his praise for the marauding duo.
India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch starting October 24, serving as a crucial build-up for the senior Indian team's two-Test series against New Zealand later in the tour. These matches are part of New Zealand Cricket's domestic red-ball schedule.
New Zealand's pace bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry have been ruled out of the remaining two T20 Internationals against India due to calf and quad injuries, respectively, dealing a significant blow to the Black Caps' squad.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has unveiled his current ODI World XI, notably omitting Suryakumar Yadav and Harry Brook, while naming Rohit Sharma as captain. His selection features a mix of players from India, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies, ahead of the India-New Zealand ODI series.
Devdutt Padikkal stroked an unbeaten half-century to rescue India A on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, on Sunday.
India's multi-format cricket tour of New Zealand has seen unprecedented early ticket sales, with 26,000 tickets sold in the first 48 hours of the pre-sale. The 12-match series, starting in October, is proving to be a major draw, particularly for white-ball matches, prompting New Zealand Cricket to urge fans to secure their seats quickly.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian T20I squad has been challenging, with expensive spells in the first two matches against New Zealand putting his place in the playing XI under scrutiny amidst strong competition from other fast bowlers.
'He batted with the freedom of a small boy on a Friday evening who is free in the mind.'
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Hagley Oval, marking their 200th victory in men's T20 Internationals. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy's unbeaten 69-run partnership secured the win, giving India a 2-0 series lead.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 45 off 19 balls against New Zealand, highlighting his unique bat flow and hip-shoulder separation as key to generating immense power despite his young age.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has lauded Tilak Varma's transformation into an accomplished finisher, a role he showcased with an unbeaten 51 to secure India's victory in the second T20I. Santner, who has played alongside Varma at Mumbai Indians, noted the left-hander's adaptability from a No. 3 batter to a crucial middle-order and death-phase performer.
Devdutt Padikkal made a strong case for the No. 3 spot in India's Test team with a superb 199 as India A fought back from a disastrous start to post 488 for 8 in their second innings against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test on Monday.
Daryl Mitchell's blistering 52-ball-89 anchored New Zealand's innings, helping them post a formidable 198 for 3 against India in the third T20 International in Wellington. Despite a strong start from India's bowlers, Mitchell and Finn Allen built a crucial partnership, with Bevon Jacobs providing a late surge.
New Zealand batter Finn Allen discussed the team's recent T20 International loss to India, highlighting the valuable lessons learned from India's dominant batting performance. He acknowledged the difficulty in stopping players like Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once they got going. Allen emphasised that despite the series defeat, every game is important for building towards the T20 World Cup in a couple of years.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old opener, bludgeoned 45 runs off just 19 balls in the 3rd T20I against New Zealand, setting up India's six-wicket victory and sealing the series 3-0 with two matches remaining.
Every six was a mixture of power, timing, sometimes mischief, and even sheer audacity.
A crucial 69-run partnership between Tilak Varma (51* off 26) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26 off 13) propelled India to a thrilling four-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20I, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
A strong India A squad, featuring senior team members like KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will play New Zealand A in a four-day match starting Saturday, serving as crucial preparation for the senior team's upcoming two-Test series.
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been added to the Indian squad for the second T20I against New Zealand as a cover for Ishan Kishan, who sustained a low-grade right adductor strain and is ruled out of the upcoming match. Kushagra, currently with the India A squad, will join the main team.
Indian batter Ishan Kishan ruled out of second T20I against New Zealand due to low grade right adductor strain, the BCCI said in a statement.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20 International against New Zealand due to a right adductor strain.
New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs reflected on his invaluable experience with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, highlighting how it helped him learn in different conditions and expressed his keenness to return to the tournament, believing such leagues add 'different strings to their game'.
India face a bowling test in the second T20I against New Zealand after conceding 226 in the opener, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expected to feature.
Ishan Kishan's injury has left the door ajar for the 15 year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was seen batting during India's optional practice session on Friday.
After the match, Naman Dhir also said that Abhishek's pep talk, especially the Punjabi bit pumped up the players.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner has made history by becoming the first bowler to take multiple four-wicket hauls against India in T20 Internationals, achieving this feat during the second T20I at Christchurch.
Shreyas Iyer admits India feared losing their chase against New Zealand before Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy showed character to seal a thrilling T20I win.
Abhishek Sharma celebrated his sensational 35-ball century against New Zealand with a unique 'Om' meditation pose, a practice he credits for his inner peace and consistent performance.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded all-rounder Naman Dhir for his crucial role in India's record-breaking 226-run chase against New Zealand in the first T20I. Iyer highlighted Dhir's versatility and calm demeanour under pressure. Sanju Samson's explosive start and the team's adaptation to changing pitch conditions were also key factors in India's highest-ever T20 chase.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has made history by becoming the first batter to hit 100 sixes in the powerplay phase of a T20I innings, surpassing Rohit Sharma's record during a match against New Zealand.
In the 50 matches India has won when Abhishek Sharma has played, the left-hander has been a major contributor with 1,774 runs at a strike rate of 205.32.
