IND vs NZ 2026: Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi Return as Injury Replacements for New Zealand T20Is

Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have been recalled to the Indian T20I squad as injury replacements for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand, starting January 21, 2026.

The team management moved quickly after injuries ruled out Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, with the series seen as a key step before the T20 World Cup next month.

Shreyas Iyer replaces Tilak Varma, who is recovering from an abdominal injury picked up during a domestic tournament. Tilak will miss the first three T20Is, and Iyer will be available only for those matches.

Ravi Bishnoi comes in for Washington Sundar, who has been ruled out of the entire series. Sundar suffered a side strain during the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11 and will not recover in time.

Iyer’s return is backed by his strong recent form. He impressed during the recent ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa, which helped him push his case for a recall.

The middle-order batter is expected to add calmness and experience, especially against spin-heavy attacks. His ability to rotate strike and handle pressure situations remains a key strength.

For India, Iyer’s short-term availability is still important. The first three games will help the team test combinations before the World Cup squad is locked in.

Bishnoi, on the other hand, has been named as a full replacement and will be part of all five T20Is. The leg-spinner brings a clear wicket-taking option in the middle overs.

With 61 wickets in 42 T20Is, Bishnoi has shown he can break partnerships and control the run flow. His pace through the air and sharp turn make him effective on slower pitches.

The series holds extra weight as it is India’s final bilateral assignment before the T20 World Cup in February 2026. Performances here could decide backup options if injuries continue.

If Tilak Varma or Washington Sundar fail to recover in time, strong displays from Iyer and Bishnoi could keep them firmly in the selectors’ plans for the World Cup.

The updated squad will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, and others forming the core group.

India will hope the replacements settle quickly as they look to fine-tune their balance against a competitive New Zealand side.