With Shreyas Iyer leading a 16-man squad, CricTracker picks India's strongest possible XI for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting October 22, 2026.
India is set to open a five-match T20I series against New Zealand on October 22, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The series runs through to November 1, 2026, with matches spread across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India named a 16-member squad on October 6, 2026, with Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Two returns stand out in the selection: Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes back to the T20I setup after nearly four years away, and Varun Chakravarthy is recalled after recovering from injury. India head into the series on the back of a 2-2 draw against West Indies in their most recent T20I assignment.
Based on the announced squad, here is India's strongest possible playing XI:
Top-order: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan
Abhishek is likely to open the innings and provide India with an aggressive start in the powerplay. The left-handed batter's ability to attack from the outset makes him an important part of the team's T20I plans. He can put pressure on the opposition early and give India the momentum they need at the top.
Samson could partner Abhishek at the top of the order. The wicketkeeper-batter offers an attacking option and can capitalise on fielding restrictions. Kishan could slot in at No. 3, providing India with another aggressive left-handed option. His ability to take on both pace and spin makes him a suitable choice in the position. Kishan can maintain the scoring rate after the powerplay while ensuring the opposition does not settle into a comfortable bowling rhythm.