India’s preparations for the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand have hit a hurdle with the news that fast bowler
Krishna has been sidelined from competitive cricket since sustaining an injury during the second ODI against the West Indies. According to the official statement from the board, the decision to exclude him from the squad was made to ensure he has sufficient time to build up the necessary bowling workload required for international match intensity. He remains subject to a Return to Play (RTP) assessment before he can rejoin the India A setup for the third and final four-day match against New Zealand A, which serves as preparation for the subsequent Test series.
Squad adjustments and upcoming fixtures
In light of the injury, the BCCI has outlined several changes to the squad compositions for the tour. Mohammed Siraj is set to join the India A team for the second four-day match against New Zealand A, which is scheduled to commence on October 31, 2026. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy will remain with the senior ODI squad for the series opener on November 4, 2026, before transitioning to the India A side for the final four-day fixture to gain match practice ahead of the Test series.
The senior Indian ODI squad has been split for the tour. For the first three matches, the team will be led by captain Shubman Gill, supported by vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. The squad includes prominent names such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. For the final two matches of the series, Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy, with Ishan Kishan serving as vice-captain. The five-match ODI series begins in Auckland on November 4, followed by matches in Wellington, Hamilton, and a double-header at Mount Maunganui. Following the conclusion of the ODIs, the focus will shift to the two-Test series, which is slated to begin on November 19, 2026, in Wellington, followed by the second Test in Christchurch starting on November 27.
