India's predicted Test squad for two-match series in New Zealand
A predicted India squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand has been outlined ahead of the tour to New Zealand that begins on October 22, with the Tests scheduled to start on November 19. The forecast includes Shubman Gill as captain and names such as KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav among the likely selections.
India's tour opens with a five-match T20I series, followed by five ODIs from November 4 to November 15, before the two Tests beginning on November 19; the Test matches form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. In recent head-to-heads, New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0 during their 2024 tour of India, while India’s last Test win over New Zealand came in December 2021 at Wankhede by 372 runs. India’s most recent Test series was a 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka in August, and New Zealand last played a Test series against England, winning 2-1.
Several players are named as near-certainties for the Test squad: KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and skipper Shubman Gill are singled out as likely inclusions, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Yashasvi Jaiswal also expected to feature. Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal are mentioned as additional probable picks for the touring party.
Wicketkeeping and selection availability remain clouded by injuries: Rishabh Pant sustained an injury during the Irani Cup and his participation is currently uncertain; if he does not recover in time, Kumar Kushagra or Ishan Kishan are cited as potential replacements, though Pant is listed as the top choice. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the Indian T20I setup but is described as unlikely to be available for Test selection on short notice.
Pace-bowling options in the prediction are led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Mohammed Siraj and Gurnoor Brar expected to support him and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy named as a seamer/all-round option. Prasidh Krishna is expected to miss the series through injury, with Akash Deep a possible replacement; the report notes Akash Deep recently returned from a long injury layoff and made his presence felt in the domestic circuit. Mohammed Shami’s name has been mentioned in discussions but is described as unlikely to be picked.
The spin department in the predicted squad is expected to include Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. The article’s projected 15-player list reads: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant/ Ishan Kishan (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Gurnoor Brar, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
The two Test matches beginning on November 19 will contribute points to the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with the touring schedule commencing on October 22 and the limited-overs fixtures occupying the period from October 22 to November 15.
