Due to the injury of a few playeers BCCI has included Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi in India’s T20I squad ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Indian cricket gets massive information on Thursday. The BCCI named two subs for the next T20I series. This series will be played against NZ. Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi are coming in for Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar. Neither of the real picks could make it due to injuries.
Iyer hasn’t played a T20I since December 2023. That’s more than a year away from this setup. Now he’s back just when India needs experienced heads. The World Cup 2026 isn’t far away, and the board want to test all open options.
Shreyas Iyer Makes His Much-Awaited Return
Iyer was always going to come back. The question was when, not if. Tilak Varma’s injury gave him that window for the first three T20Is. Sometimes cricket works in unexpected ways.
Anyone who follows Indian cricket knows what Iyer brings to the table. That number four spot in ODIs? He’s made it his own over the years. Big chases, tricky situations, collapse recoveries – he’s done it all. His batting doesn’t rely on luck or power alone.
There’s something different about how he plays spin bowling. You can see the planning behind each shot. He waits, watches the ball, then commits. Young batsmen often struggle with this patience. Iyer learned it early in his career.
Punjab Kings Campaign Shows His Current Form
Last IPL season was massive for Shreyas Iyer. Punjab Kings made him captain and he delivered beyond expectations. Taking any team to the final is hard work. Taking Punjab Kings there was genuinely impressive given their history.
But here’s the real story – 604 runs with a strike rate over 175. Those aren’t just good numbers. They’re elite numbers in modern T20 cricket. Every franchise wanted him in the auction. Punjab paid top money and got their money’s worth.
Captaining an IPL team teaches you things international cricket sometimes doesn’t. Managing egos, rotating bowlers, handling pressure from owners – it all adds up. Shreyas Iyer handled everything smoothly. No drama, just results.
His ODI vice-captaincy under Shubman Gill came after Rohit Sharma was removed. Some people already whisper about him as future captain material. Watching how he led Punjab, you can understand why. He stays cool when others panic.
Ravi Bishnoi Gets His Opportunity
The young leg-spinner joins the side for all five T20I matches. Washington Sundar’s unfortunate injury created this opening. Bishnoi will want to grab this chance with both hands.
Sundar felt stiff during the first ODI at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium on January 11. Medical examination revealed a side strain. The injury needs proper rest and treatment. Doctors ruled him out of the entire T20I series.
He will now head to the BCCI COE for recovery. The medical staff there will monitor his rehabilitation process. Getting him match-fit for the upcoming series remains the priority.
Why Bishnoi Matters for India’s Spin Attack
Leg-spinners still bring something special to T20 cricket. They can turn matches with a single over. Bishnoi possesses that match-winning quality. His variations trouble batsmen regularly.
Watch him bowl in tight situations and you see real composure. He doesn’t panic when batsmen attack him. Instead, he sticks to his plans and executes them well. That mental strength matters a lot in modern cricket.
The selectors clearly trust his abilities in this format. Giving him five matches shows their confidence. Every game provides him a platform to showcase his skills. Smart performances here could cement his World Cup spot.
The official BCCI statement covered all these squad changes in detail. It mentioned Sundar’s injury specifics and recovery plan. Bishnoi’s inclusion across all five matches was confirmed. Iyer’s participation in the first three games got clearance too.
Building Momentum for the World Cup
This New Zealand series carries extra significance for Indian cricket. The T20 World Cup 2026 approaches steadily. Every match now becomes a testing ground for players and combinations.
Iyer and Bishnoi face important auditions here. Strong showings will strengthen their World Cup claims significantly. The team management watches closely how players handle different match situations.
Indian supporters feel excited about these inclusions. Both players bring proven quality to the squad. Iyer’s experience balances Bishnoi’s youthful energy perfectly. This mix often produces great results for teams.
The current squad looks well-balanced after these adjustments. Batting depth and bowling variety both seem adequate. Selectors have clearly thought about horses for courses. They picked players who suit T20 cricket’s demands.
India’s T20I Squad Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
India’s updated T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas lyer (first three T20s), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun
Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
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