SportsPosted at: Oct 29 2026 5:15PM


Series in the bag, India look to test bench strength as New Zealand battle injury woes

Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) India’s commanding 3-0 lead has given them room to experiment in the final two T20 Internationals against New Zealand, with the fourth match in Auckland on Friday offering a chance to reassess their bowling combinations and bring some of their unused options into the mix.
The team’s decision to pack the batting order has paid dividends in a series dominated by big scores. With batters available until number eight, India have enjoyed considerable depth, but the remaining games could provide an opportunity to strike a balance between batting firepower and a more varied bowling attack.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are among those who could benefit from a change in approach. Neither spinner has featured in the ongoing series, despite having different strengths to offer in the middle overs. Kuldeep played twice against the West Indies at home, while Chakaravarthy has been searching for consistency over the past six months.
Kuldeep’s ability to break partnerships could be particularly useful as India prepare for future assignments. Bringing the left-arm wrist-spinner back into the playing XI, however, would mean making room in a side that has prioritised batting depth.
Axar Patel has been the preferred spin option so far, bowling his full quota in each of the three matches. He has picked up two wickets at an economy rate of 9.58. Naman Dhir, another option with the ball, has had little opportunity, having bowled just one over in the series.
India also have decisions to make in the pace department. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first international series in four years, showed better control at the death in Wellington, where his yorkers came into play in the final over. His overall numbers, though, remain expensive, with 139 runs conceded off 72 deliveries across the first three matches. Another outing could help the 36-year-old build on the encouraging signs from the third T20I.
Prince Yadav has made an impression since coming into the side for the last two games in place of Mayank Yadav. His work at the death has helped contain the scoring, leaving the team management to decide whether to stick with him or give Mayank another opportunity.
There could also be changes in the batting line-up. Ishan Kishan’s groin injury leaves his availability uncertain after he missed the last two matches. Should he remain unavailable, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could retain his place after showing his attacking intent in Wellington, even as Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century took much of the attention.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has featured ahead of Shivam Dube, but with the series already decided, India could use the opportunity to give Reddy a break and test Dube’s role.
Ferguson absence adds to New Zealand’s bowling worries
New Zealand’s task has become tougher with pacer Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the remaining T20 Internationals because of a calf injury. Matt Fisher has been called up as his replacement.
Ferguson experienced pain in his right calf during the second T20I at Hagley Oval, and scans revealed a low-grade tear. He is expected to need around another week to recover. Matt Henry is also unavailable with a low-grade tear in his right quadricep, with his recovery estimated at one to two weeks.
The twin setbacks leave New Zealand short of pace options at a time when their attack has struggled to contain India’s aggressive top order. India’s batters have attacked from the outset, culminating in a record 118 runs in the first six overs in Wellington.
Skipper Mitchell Santner has been one of New Zealand’s more reliable performers with his left-arm spin, but the captain has lacked consistent support from the other end. Michael Bracewell, in particular, came under pressure in the third match after India had managed him more comfortably than in the opening two games.
Santner will be hoping to win his first toss of the series and get the chance to bowl first. But regardless of the conditions, New Zealand will need a much-improved effort from their remaining bowlers to prevent India from extending their unbeaten run in the series.
Squads
India: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Sanju Samson (w/k), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Naman Dhir, Tilak Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Yadav, Kumar Kushagra, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (w/k), Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Josh Clarkson.UNI TB AAB
Tags: #Series in the bag# India look to test bench strength as New Zealand battle injury woes
More News

Hylo Open: Sindhu, Lakshya advance; Prannoy crashes out

29 Oct 2026 | 6:19 PM

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI): PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen began their BWF Hylo Open campaigns with victories on Wednesday, joining several other Indian shuttlers in the second round of the Super 500 tournament in Saarbrucken. However, HS Prannoy failed to progress after losing to France’s sixth seed Toma Junior Popov in straight games.

see more..

Mumbai Indians part ways with Malinga, Mhambrey and Hopkinson

29 Oct 2026 | 5:40 PM

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have made further changes to their coaching staff, parting ways with bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Parash Mhambrey, along with fielding coach Carl Hopkinson, as the franchise reshapes its support team ahead of IPL 2027.

see more..

Tilak backs India’s bowlers to deliver as team eyes 5-0 sweep

29 Oct 2026 | 5:32 PM

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) India batter Tilak Varma believes the team’s bowling attack will hold the key to completing a series whitewash against New Zealand, with the visitors preparing for the fourth T20I at Eden Park on Friday.

see more..

Series in the bag, India look to test bench strength as New Zealand battle injury woes

29 Oct 2026 | 5:15 PM

Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) India’s commanding 3-0 lead has given them room to experiment in the final two T20 Internationals against New Zealand, with the fourth match in Auckland on Friday offering a chance to reassess their bowling combinations and bring some of their unused options into the mix.

see more..

WTA Chennai Open : India's Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Diya Ramesh get wildcards for qualifying rounds

29 Oct 2026 | 4:38 PM

SPORTS TENNIS WTA CHENNAI OPEN
Chennai, Oct 29 (UNI) The organisers of the WTA 250 Chennai Open on Thursday announced that qualifying wildcards were given
to India's Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, who has a ranking of 640 at present, and Diya Ramesh, the upcoming youngster from Tamil Nadu.

see more..