Auqib Nabi not to be picked for NZ Tests, Bumrah to led the attack | PC- AFP
With the WTC on the line, Team India’s whole and sole focus is on the two Test matches scheduled in New Zealand later this year.
Among the four SENA countries, New Zealand has been the toughest hunting ground for India, with the visitors unable to win a series in the the last 17 years.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill's side has to win six out of their remaining seven Tests to qualify for the WTC final 2027.
India looking at five-seam attack, led by Bumrah, for IND vs NZ Tests
For the tough Down Under tour, the Indian team management is considering a five-pace attack, as reported by Dainik Jagran.
Surprisingly, despite swing-favouring conditions in New Zealand, Team India could be touring with all seamers, comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Akash Deep.
“The team management wants to take five Indian fast bowlers on the New Zealand tour. These include Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurunoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep,” the report added.
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That said, Akash Deep has been out with a lower-back stress fracture since early this year. Moreover, he last featured for India back in July 2025 during the tour of England.
No place for Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Auqib Nabi for NZ Tests
If just these five pacemen get picked, there would be no place for Auqib Nabi, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
The J&K pacer was included in the Indian squad recently for Sri Lanka Tests after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out. However, Nabi has yet to make his Test debut. That said, he could be lethal in the conditions Down Under, as he is a master of swinging the ball both ways.
Meanwhile, Harshit Rana, who enjoys great backing from the team management for his utility as a bowling all-rounder, could also be sidelined from the IND vs NZ Tests. Notably, the Delhi-based seamer has been struggling with a series of injuries since the early 2026.
Recently, he was named in the Indian T20I squad for the Afghanistan series, but with an asterisk after his name.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm angle could come in handy in New Zealand, but again he has yet to play a Test match.
Bumrah only current Indian pacer with NZ Test experience
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, no Indian pacer from the current crop has played a Test match in New Zealand.
That said, the ace pacer’s Test stats Down Under are pretty mediocre to say the least, snapping just six wickets in two matches at a strike rate of 61.6.
Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh is the only Indian pacer, other than Bumrah, to even play an international fixture in New Zealand. The left-arm seamer has played two ODIs and as many T20Is in the island country.
Therefore, the team management is looking to back experienced fast bowlers for the crucial tour rather than inexperienced options who might benefit from the swinging conditions.
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