India vs New Zealand 2026: 3 surprise picks in India's squad
From uncapped talents to returning faces, India's squad for New Zealand has thrown up some notable surprises.
The BCCI's Men's Selection Committee announced India's ODI and Test squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand on October 17, 2026. The tour will feature five ODIs and two Tests after the T20I series concludes. While several familiar names feature across both squads, a handful of selections have raised eyebrows among cricket followers.
Here are three picks that stand out as unexpected choices:-
3. Yash Thakur
Yash Thakur is a right-arm pacer who has built his reputation through domestic cricket and the IPL. He made his T20I debut during India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2026, marking his entry into international cricket. Thakur finds a place in the ODI squad for the final two matches of the five-game series against New Zealand. His inclusion reflects the selectors' intent to assess fast-bowling options as India plan their pace attack with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle.
Thakur has not yet featured in an ODI for India, making this call-up a significant step in his international journey. His domestic performances and IPL outings have kept him in the selectors' radar, and this tour offers him a genuine opportunity to stake a claim at the highest level of the 50-over format.
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