Iyer included in T20I series against New Zealand in place of Tilak Varma (Image Credit:- X)

Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi replaced injured Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar for upcoming T20I against New Zealand series. Iyer is included for the first three T20Is, while Ravi Bishnoi has been named for the entire series.

Batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the first three T20Is following a medical procedure after undergoing testicular surgery. He is expected to join the squad for the final two T20Is.

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Allrounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the entire series after suffering an injury while bowling during the first ODI. Scans later revealed side strains.

After last featuring in this format in December 2023 against Australia, Iyer made a comeback to the Indian T20I side. Iyer’s last T20 appearance came in the IPL 2025 final, where he captained Punjab and guided them to summit clash.

He has played 51 T20Is for India, scoring 1104 runs at an average of 30.66, with a highest score of 74.

Bishnoi include in T20I squad against New Zealand in place of Washington Sundar (Image Credit:- X)

Spinner Ravi Bishnoi last represented India in January 2025, featuring against England in a home series. So far, he has represented India in 42 T20Is, claiming 61 wickets with best bowling figures of 4 for 13.

The Five match T20I series will begin on January 21 in Nagpur. This will be India’s final series before the T20 World Cup in February.

India’s updated T20I Squad

Suryakumar Yadhav (c) , Axar Patel (vc) , Abhishek Sharma , Sanju Samson(wk) , Ishan Kishan (wk) , Shreyas Iyer (first 3 T20Is) , Hardik Pandya , Shivam Dube , Rinku Singh , Jasprit Bumrah , Harshit rana , Arshdeep Singh , Kuldeep Yadhav , Varun Chakravarthy , Ravi Bishnoi.