No Mohammed Shami as BCCI announces India's Test squad for New Zealand tour

India tour of New Zealand: The senior selection committee ignored Mohammed Shami again as a 15-member squad for the two-match Test series, starting November 19, was announced on Friday.

In Short

• Shubman Gill will lead a 15-man squad in a two-Test series in New Zealand
• Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj back, no place for Mohammed Shami
• The two Tests will be played between November 19 and December 1

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India's 15-member squad for the much-anticipated two-Test series in New Zealand in November. Bengal pacer Akash Deep has returned to the side after more than a year, but veteran Mohammed Shami has not been recalled.

The first Test will begin in Wellington on November 19, four days after the conclusion of the five-match ODI series. The second Test will get underway in Christchurch on November 27. The series will be crucial to India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

The BCCI also announced India's ODI squad for the five-match series, which begins on November 4. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in the squad, with Shubman Gill set to lead the side for the first three matches and Shreyas Iyer taking over as captain for the final two. Gill, KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna will not feature in the last two ODIs.

India’s Test squad for NZ Tour

Shubman Gill [C], Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul [VC], Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant [WK]*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

END OF THE ROAD FOR SHAMI?

There was considerable anticipation that Mohammed Shami, now 36, would be considered for the tour of New Zealand. However, there were early indications that a recall might not be forthcoming when the Bengal fast bowler was left out of the India A squad for the three four-day matches, which will also serve as preparation for the Test series.

The return of another veteran, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to the Indian T20I side after four years, coming days after Ajit Agarkar's exit as chief selector, had raised hopes that the change in the selection committee might also open the door for Shami. However, the committee, led by Pragyan Ojha, has decided against recalling him despite his impressive numbers in domestic cricket. The Bengal fast bowler picked up five wickets in his team's Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi in Kalyani last week, sending a timely reminder of his quality.

Following the match, Shami had a message for his critics. During the latter part of Agarkar's tenure as chief selector, the fast bowler was not considered for the senior national team amid concerns over his fitness. Shami, however, has consistently maintained that he is fit enough to handle the demands of international cricket.

"You can see my fitness. Write it. You are watching me. What will happen if I say it? I am on the ground. I am playing. I am playing wherever I can. My job is to just keep bowling," he told reporters on the sidelines of Bengal's Ranji Trophy opener in Kalyani last week.

WHO'S IN AND WHO'S NOT?

• Akash Deep returns: The Bengal pacer is back after recovering from a stress fracture.
• Bumrah returns: The pace spearhead is back in the Test squad after missing recent white-ball assignments.
• Pant's fitness under watch: The wicketkeeper-batter has been picked subject to fitness after a side strain.
• Shami misses out: The Bengal pacer is overlooked despite taking five wickets in his Ranji Trophy opener.
• Kamboj replaces Brar: Anshul Kamboj returns to the Test squad, while Gurnoor Brar misses out.
• Suthar left out: The left-arm spinner misses out as India retain Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.

Akash Deep, meanwhile, is back in the Test squad after recovering from a stress fracture and getting some red-ball cricket under his belt in the new season. The 29-year-old, who missed the entirety of IPL 2026, represented Rest of India in the Irani Cup earlier this month before turning out for Bengal against Delhi in their Ranji Trophy opener.

Akash will also get an early start to his New Zealand assignment as he is part of the India A squad, alongside fellow pacers Mukesh Kumar and Mukesh Choudhary. The four-day matches will give him further opportunity to build match fitness ahead of the Test series.

Rishabh Pant has also been named in the Test squad, although his availability remains subject to fitness. The Delhi wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the first two matches of India's A tour after picking up a side strain while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah is back in the Test squad as well. The premier fast bowler, who last played a Test in November last year, is expected to be available after being rested for the white-ball series against the West Indies and the white-ball tour of New Zealand. Bumrah last represented India at the Asian Games.

Sai Sudharsan has been retained in the Test squad alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who was in fine form during India's Test series win in Sri Lanka in August. Sai missed that series because of a toe injury and will now continue playing Ranji Trophy cricket instead of travelling to New Zealand with the India A team.

There were, however, some notable omissions.

India have opted to rely on their established spin options, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, leaving out Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner had made an impression during India's Test series win in Sri Lanka before going on to play county cricket.

ANSHUL KAMBOJ BACK

Gurnoor Brar, who had been viewed as a prospect for the future, has also been dropped from the Test squad. He was part of the tour of Sri Lanka, but the selectors have brought back Anshul Kamboj in his place. Kamboj has also been named in India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour.

The Chennai Super Kings fast bowler made his Test debut in England in 2025 and made his ODI debut last month in New Chandigarh against the West Indies. He has also been in good form in domestic red-ball cricket, strengthening his case for another opportunity at the highest level.

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