Why Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar were left out of India’s New Zealand Test squad

October 17, 2026

India’s Test selectors have sparked debate by omitting fast bowler Gurnoor Brar and leg-spinner Manav Suthar from the squad for the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand. Both players, despite recent strong performances, were excluded in favor of preserving them for future commitments.

Suthar, who took 23 wickets across three matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, is reportedly being saved for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a series critical for India’s push to secure a spot in the Test Championship final. Meanwhile, Brar—who has claimed 14 wickets in nine ODIs but remains uncapped in Tests—is being groomed for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with selectors opting to streamline his role in the limited-overs format rather than stretching him across multiple competitions.

The squad’s composition reflects a strategic focus on balancing workload and long-term planning as India targets dual success in the World Test Championship and the upcoming ODI tournament.

The decision aligns with a broader trend under coach Gautam Gambhir, where emerging talents are often nurtured for future challenges rather than immediate deployment. With India needing to win six of seven matches to stay in contention for the Test Championship final, the selectors appear prioritizing experience in the New Zealand series while safeguarding younger players for high-stakes fixtures.

The absence of Brar and Suthar underscores the team’s deliberate approach to player development, even as the squad faces the pressure of must-win games in the white-ball format ahead.