Kumar Kushagra, Yash Thakur earn maiden ODI call-ups for New Zealand tour

Mumbai: A combination of injury setbacks and strategic choices has led to the selection of several new players for the India team heading to New Zealand for an ODI series followed by a Test series. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who dealt with a minor left hamstring injury, is among the confirmed players for the initial three ODIs and the subsequent two Tests.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant returns to the Test squad after recovering from a side strain and back stiffness. The skipper for the final two ODIs, Shreyas Iyer, will lead the team in all five matches, ensuring Shubman Gill can focus on the Tests. To complement the squad, Tilak Varma and Auqib Nabi, both of whom recently joined Pant as the captain's understudies, have been added for the last two ODIs.

Kumar Kushagra, who has been added to the India A team for the New Zealand tour, and fast bowler Yash Thakur have also received their first ODI call-ups. In the Test series, Jasprit Bumrah will take a break from the ODI series but will spearhead the pace attack in the Tests, which begin in Wellington on November 19. Anshul Kamboj, who played a single Test during the 2025 England series before being dropped, is back in the Test squad and will join the players for the first three ODIs.

His addition highlights the selectors' belief in him as a versatile seam-bowling allrounder at No. 8. Akash Deep has also found his way back into the Test squad after a seven-month absence due to a stress fracture, playing his last Test during the 2025 England series.