Shreyas Iyer leads India as team faces New Zealand in five‑match T20 series

India’s senior cricket team will take on New Zealand in a five‑game T20 International series, with Shreyas Iyer appointed as captain. The squad, announced by the BCCI on October 6, blends experience and in‑form talent. Young wicket‑keeper batsmen Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan share duties behind the stumps, while veterans Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suri anchor the top order. Fast‑bowling options feature the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the pace of Shivam Dubey, and the mystery spin of Varun Chakravarthy. The side also includes all‑rounders Akshar Patel, Nitesh Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh, providing depth in both batting and bowling. Tilak Varma will serve as vice‑captain, supporting Iyer in on‑field decisions. The series will kick off in Christchurch on Oct 22, move to Wellington on Oct 27 and conclude in Hamilton on Nov 1, giving Indian fans several opportunities to watch the team in action across New Zealand. The Board has kept the One‑Day International and Test squads under wraps, indicating that selections will be made after assessing performances in the T20 series.