Brar added to India’s Test squad for New Zealand; Pant cleared and Kuldeep released
On November 14, 2026, India added fast bowler Gurnoor Brar to its Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, Rishabh Pant rejoined the group after recovering from a back injury, and Kuldeep Yadav was released to play domestic cricket.
The move to include Brar was driven by expectations of seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand and a desire to strengthen the pace attack. The 26-year-old has impressed during the ongoing ODI series and has spent more than three weeks in New Zealand; he originally travelled as part of Test captain Shubman Gill’s personal bowling entourage before being drafted into the ODI unit. Having already acclimatised to local conditions, Brar will join the Test contingent in Wellington and will not be available for the fifth and final ODI, with India opting not to name a replacement.
Pant hurt his back during the Irani Cup tie in the first week of October but completed a two-day match simulation in Bengaluru on November 10 and 11 and was cleared to rejoin the squad. Following that clearance, Pant travelled to Wellington and has joined the Test party as one of India’s wicketkeeping options. His return provides an additional selection choice behind the stumps.
Kuldeep spent much of the tour on the sidelines and was considered unlikely to play a major role in the two Tests. The management and the selection committee therefore released the left-arm wrist-spinner so he could obtain competitive game-time at home. The domestic limited-overs season began on November 11, 2026, offering Kuldeep an immediate opportunity to play.
India’s updated 16-member Test squad will be captained by Shubman Gill with K.L. Rahul as vice-captain. The two designated wicketkeeping options are Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel. The pace unit in the squad comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar.
The two-Test series opens in Wellington on November 19, 2026; Brar will link up with the Test party ahead of that start while Kuldeep returns home to participate in the domestic limited-overs competition that began on November 11.