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India’s strongest playing XI for T20I series vs New Zealand

India will kick off a five-match T20 International series against New Zealand on October 22, 2026, with the first game set to take place at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. The series, spanning until November 1, will feature matches across four New Zealand cities, including Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-man squad on October 6, with Shreyas Iyer named as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The squad includes notable returns: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is back in the T20I format after a four-year absence, and Varun Chakravarthy, who has recovered from injury to reclaim his spot.

India enters the series following a 2-2 draw in their last T20I series against the West Indies, adding context to their preparations for the challenge ahead.

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