Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi added to India's squad for T20Is vs NZ
Washington Sundar has been officially ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand following the diagnosis of a side strain. The injury took place during the series opener in Vadodara on January 11, where Sundar experienced sharp discomfort in his lower rib area while performing his bowling duties.
In the wake of the injury, Sundar underwent comprehensive medical scans and consulted with specialists to determine the extent of the damage. He has been prescribed a period of immediate rest and is subsequently scheduled to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) to begin a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of the medical team.
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Washington Sundar ruled out
To fill the vacancy, the selection committee has called up leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as Sundar's replacement for the T20I series. In further squad adjustments, Shreyas Iyer has been drafted in for the first three matches to cover for Tilak Varma. Varma, a key young talent, recently underwent surgery for a groin injury, leaving his fitness and availability for the 2026 T20 World Cup in question as his recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Shreyas Iyer’s return to the T20I squad marks the end of a two-year hiatus from the format, with his last appearance dating back to December 2023 against Australia. Although his name was frequently debated in selection meetings, the committee previously prioritized younger or more specialized talents like Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. During his time away from the national side, Iyer remained a dominant force in domestic and franchise cricket, notably leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and guiding the Punjab Kings to the final in 2025.
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Over his career, Iyer has featured in 51 T20Is, accumulating 1,104 runs with a respectable strike rate of 136.12. His re-entry into the squad presents a tactical dilemma for the team management. While he currently serves as the vice-captain in the ODI format, it remains unclear if he will be drafted directly into the starting XI. The coaching staff may instead choose to promote power-hitters like Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya up the order to accommodate Rinku Singh’s finishing abilities.
This selection headache is further complicated by long-term planning, as Iyer is not currently part of the core T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
India’s updated T20I squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
On January 16, 2026, the BCCI announced major changes to India's T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. Due to untimely injuries to key players Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, the selectors have recalled two prominent names to the national side.
The Replacements
Shreyas Iyer replaces Tilak Varma: Iyer returns to the T20I setup for the first time since December 2023. He has been added specifically for the first three T20Is, as Tilak Varma is recovering from abdominal surgery.
Ravi Bishnoi replaces Washington Sundar: The leg-spinner makes a comeback after nearly a year (his last appearance was against England in February 2025). He replaces Sundar for the entire series after the all-rounder was ruled out with a side strain.
Injury Status & World Cup Concerns
With the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup set to begin on February 7 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka), these injuries have raised concerns about the final tournament squad:
| Player | Injury Type | Status |
| Washington Sundar | Side strain (sustained during 1st ODI) | Ruled out of the entire NZ T20I series; doubtful for World Cup start. |
| Tilak Varma | Abdominal/Groin surgery | Ruled out of first 3 T20Is; expected to attempt a return for the final 2 matches. |
Updated India T20I Squad vs. New Zealand
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (1st-3rd T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi.
The series kicks off on January 21 at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur and serves as India's final dress rehearsal before the World Cup.
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