Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has been added to India's squad for the Tests against New Zealand, and Kuldeep Yadav has been released.
Brar comes in on the strength of a one-day year in which only one bowler among 263 has taken more wickets than his 23. India need a lift in the longest format: they have won 30 of their last 60 Tests, exactly half, and have lost two of the last five.
A one-day wicket-taker for the red ball
Brar has taken 23 wickets in 12 ODIs in 2026, second only to one other player this year. He has three or more in an innings four times, and his best figures are 4/30 against New Zealand on 7 November.
He took 12 wickets in his last five ODIs and goes for 6.56 an over across the year. India won that game against New Zealand by four runs, defending 113/7 on the back of his 4/30.
The bat has been quiet: 38 runs in 12 matches, with 18 his highest. His bowling is the reason he is in the squad.
Gurnoor Brar, ODIs in 2026
12 matches for India
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Wickets | 23 (2nd of 263) |
| Economy | 6.56 |
| Bowling average | 31.5 |
| Best figures | 4/30 v New Zealand |
| Three-wicket hauls or better | 4 |
| Wickets in last 5 matches | 12 |
Kuldeep leaves after a wicketless final outing
Kuldeep last played on 13 November, when he went for 0/73 in India's 244-run defeat to New Zealand in the third ODI. He has 10 wickets in eight ODIs this year at 6.26 an over.
His Test record is the stronger part of his career: 61 wickets in 15 Tests since 2018 at an average of 23.5, with four five-wicket hauls. In the 2025/27 World Test Championship cycle he has 21 wickets in five matches, and he has one Test in 2026, taking three wickets.
The record India carry into the series
India's Tests are the weakest of their three formats. They have won 75% of their last 59 T20Is and 70% of their last 60 ODIs, against 50% in Tests. Their last five Tests read lost, lost, won, won, drawn.
The last Test was on 23 August. Since then India have played 10 white-ball matches, winning six, with the one-day run against New Zealand ending in a heavy loss on 13 November.
New Zealand have won 33 of their last 60 Tests (55%) and took the third ODI by 244 runs, making 333 before bowling India out for 89.
India's record by format
Most recent matches in each format
| Format | P | W | L | D | Win % | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I (since 2024) | 59 | 44 | 15 | 0 | 75% | WWWLL |
| ODI (since 2023) | 60 | 42 | 17 | 1 | 70% | WLWWL |
| Test (since 2020) | 60 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 50% | LLWWD |
Recent results against New Zealand
India's recent form against New Zealand is a win more often than not: five wins and three defeats in eight white-ball matches on this tour, across T20Is and ODIs. The latest is the 244-run loss in the third ODI, in which India were bowled out for 89 in 26.4 overs.
A fresh pace option and one fewer spinner is the shape of the squad change; the headlines give no other detail.
India v New Zealand, newest first
Results on the tour
| Date | Format | Result | India | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov | ODI | Lost by 244 runs | 89 | 333 |
| 7 Nov | ODI | Won by 4 runs | 113/7 | 134 |
| 4 Nov | ODI | Won by 5 wickets | 143/5 | 185 |
| 1 Nov | T20I | Lost by 7 wickets | 191/8 | 195/3 |
| 30 Oct | T20I | Lost by 87 runs | 172/9 | 259/7 |
| 27 Oct | T20I | Won by 6 wickets | 199/4 | 198/3 |
| 24 Oct | T20I | Won by 4 wickets | 181/6 | 180/5 |
| 22 Oct | T20I | Won by 4 wickets | 230/6 | 225/4 |
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