Hand-picked stories you can't miss
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads for India’s upcoming New Zealand tour on October 6, with the senior men’s side set to play five T20Is between October 22 and November 1. While the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the headline selection, a few notable names were left out of the 16-member T20I squad.
India have retained a largely similar group from the ongoing T20I series against West Indies, with Bhuvneshwar and Varun Chakaravarthy coming into the squad. However, Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have missed out, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been picked in the India A squad for the multi-day games against New Zealand A.
With competition for places becoming increasingly intense, here are three players who can consider themselves unfortunate to have missed the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour.
Ravi Bishnoi is arguably the biggest surprise omission from India’s T20I squad.
The leg-spinner was part of India’s T20I squad for the ongoing home series against West Indies and has remained an important option in the national setup over the last few years. However, the selectors have opted to go with Kuldeep Yadav and the returning Varun Chakaravarthy as the primary specialist spinners for the New Zealand series.
Bishnoi’s ability to bowl quickly through the air and attack the stumps has made him particularly effective in T20 cricket. His googly is another weapon that can trouble batters who look to attack him.
His omission becomes more notable because he was also involved in India’s T20I plans earlier in 2026. He was brought into the squad for the January T20I series against New Zealand as an injury replacement for Washington Sundar.
However, the competition in India’s spin department is fierce. Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist-spin provides a different angle, while Varun’s mystery-spin variations give the team another attacking option.
Bishnoi will now have to wait for his next opportunity, but his experience and T20 skill set mean he remains firmly in contention.
Washington Sundar is another player who can feel unlucky after missing the New Zealand T20Is.
The all-rounder was originally selected for India’s T20I series against West Indies but was subsequently withdrawn so that he could focus on red-ball preparation ahead of the Test series against New Zealand. The BCCI confirmed that Washington would get an opportunity to play Ranji Trophy cricket after the domestic season began on October 11.
His omission from the New Zealand T20I squad therefore appears to be more related to workload and scheduling than a lack of confidence from the selectors.
Washington offers India a valuable combination of off-spin and lower-order batting. His ability to contribute in multiple departments gives the team greater flexibility, particularly when selecting the balance of the playing XI.
The New Zealand conditions could also have made his off-spin useful, especially if India wanted an additional bowling option without weakening the batting lineup.
However, with the Test series also part of the New Zealand tour, the selectors have clearly prioritised his red-ball preparation. It is a disappointing development for Washington from a T20 perspective, but it could ultimately strengthen his chances of playing a major role in the Test series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s absence from the senior T20I squad is another talking point.
The left-handed opener has established himself as one of India’s most exciting young batters across formats. However, the current T20I setup has an extremely crowded top order, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and captain Shreyas Iyer all included.
Jaiswal has consequently been named in the India A squad for the three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. He will be joined by players such as KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar.
The decision is understandable from a combination perspective. India already have multiple left- and right-handed options capable of opening or batting in the top order, while Jaiswal’s presence in the India A squad gives him valuable red-ball exposure.
Still, his omission will raise eyebrows considering his proven ability to attack during the powerplay. Jaiswal’s fearless strokeplay and experience at the international level could have made him an interesting option on New Zealand pitches.
For now, however, the selectors appear to have prioritised the existing T20I combination.
| Rank | Player | Role | Why he missed out |
| 1 | Ravi Bishnoi | Leg-spinner | Kuldeep and Varun preferred |
| 2 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder | Red-ball preparation |
| 3 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener | Crowded T20I top order |
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the international Matches.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the international Matches.
cricket
cricket
cricket