Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Shreyas Iyer Could Lead India in Final New Zealand ODIs
India is getting ready for a cricket tour of New Zealand with several kinds of matches.
The tour is expected to start on October 22.
India will play T20s, one-day games, Tests, and unofficial matches for its ‘A’ team.
The selectors want players who will play Tests to have extra practice with the red ball.
A report says Shreyas Iyer could lead India in the last two one-day matches.
Some players expected to play the Tests may miss those matches so they can prepare.
The selectors may choose 16 or 17 players for the Test squad.
Several fast bowlers are competing for places.
The Test series is scheduled to begin on November 19.
India’s New Zealand tour is scheduled to begin October 22, with five T20Is, five ODIs, two Tests and three unofficial ‘A’ games.
The BCCI selection committee is expected to announce four squads and is weighing player workload and Test preparation.
Shreyas Iyer could captain India in the final two ODIs while several Test regulars miss that leg.
Test-bound players are expected to get additional red-ball preparation through India ‘A’ games before the Tests start November 19.
Selectors are considering a 16- or 17-player Test squad, with several pacers competing for a possible sixth fast-bowling place.
- Who
- India’s men’s cricket team and the BCCI men’s selection committee.
- What
- India is preparing for a New Zealand tour featuring T20Is, ODIs, Tests and unofficial ‘A’ games; Shreyas Iyer could lead the final two ODIs.
- When
- The tour is scheduled to start October 22; the two Tests begin November 19. The selection meeting is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Where
- New Zealand, with the first Test preparations mentioned for Wellington.
- Why
- Selectors want to manage player workloads and give Test-bound players more red-ball preparation ahead of the two-Test series.
White-ball availability
Test preparation
Final two ODIs
White-ball availability
India could use Shreyas Iyer to lead the final two one-day matches.
Test preparation
Several key Test players, including Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, are expected to miss that leg to prepare for red-ball cricket.
Squad planning
White-ball availability
The tour includes five T20Is and five ODIs, requiring squads for white-ball matches.
Test preparation
The selection committee’s main concern is providing Test-bound players with more red-ball exposure, including through ‘A’ games.
- Tour schedule
- Five T20Is, five ODIs, two Tests and three unofficial ‘A’ games.
- Tour start
- October 22.
- Test series
- Two Tests, scheduled to begin November 19.
- Potential ODI captain
- Shreyas Iyer could lead India in the final two ODIs, according to a Times of India report cited in the article.
- Possible Test squad size
- Selectors may choose 16 or 17 players.
- Pace-bowling competition
- Auqib Nabi, Mukesh Kumar and Anshul Kamboj are competing for a possible sixth pace-bowling spot.
- Selection meeting
- The committee is expected to meet Tuesday or Wednesday; uncertainty about Prasidh Krishna’s injury status delayed the meeting on Monday.