New Zealand have made a slight change to their T20I squad that will face India in the upcoming five-match T20 international series. After a stunning 2-1 win in the ODI series, the Kiwis eye another solid series in India, with one eye on the T20 World Cup 2026 as well. Kristian Clarke, who made his international debut in the ODIs and did well, has been rewarded with a place in New Zealand’s T20I squad as well.
New Zealand coach Rob Walter has divulged that Clarke has been added for the first three T20Is against India, which will be played in Nagpur, Raipur and Guwahati. He has been added since a few Kiwi players are coming on the back of injuries, while Michael Bracewell, who led them in the ODIs, himself got hurt in the 3rd ODI. While fielding, Bracewell sustained a minor left-calf strain but has travelled with the team to Nagpur.
“We’ve got a fair bit of player movement at the moment with some guys returning from injury for this series, others joining us immediately from franchise cricket and the rest coming off the India ODI series and Super Smash. We want to ensure we’ve got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games of this series and it’s a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India,” said Walter, as per New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
“He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what was particularly impressive was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure.”
Kristian Clarke impress in debut series
New Zealand pulled off an incredible ODI series win against India, their first in the country. The gulf on paper was huge. It was like David vs Goliath. While Daryl Mitchell deservingly won the Player of the Series award, one individual who stuck to his tasks was Kristian Clarke. He not only ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the 3 ODIs with 7 scalps, it was whom he dismissed mattered the most. Clarke’s maiden international wicket was of Harshit Rana, who played a superb cameo in the 1st ODI.
Then in the next two games, he dismissed Virat Kohli twice, Shreyas Iyer twice, and Rohit Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy once each. That was some debut series for Clarke, who even impressed Ravichandran Ashwin with his variations and smart plans. The tall, medium-pace all-rounder used subtle variations to full effect. It would be interesting to see if he gets opportunity in the T20Is as well.
New Zealand’s T20I squad vs India
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi, Kristian Clarke (first 3 games).
New Zealand’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
