The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced significant changes to India's T20 International (T20I) squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. As of Friday, January 16, 2026, Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have been added to the squad. These inclusions come as direct replacements for injured players, with Washington Sundar ruled out due to a side strain and Tilak Varma unavailable following lower abdomen surgery. Washington Sundar sustained his side strain while bowling during the first One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand on January 11, 2026, and has been advised rest before reporting to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) for further management. Shreyas Iyer, making a return to the T20I setup, has been selected for the first three matches of the series, while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi will be available for the entire five-game schedule. This T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 21, 2026, is a crucial assignment for the Indian team as it marks their last international commitment before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7. The squad changes underscore the team management's efforts to finalize the best possible combination ahead of the prestigious global tournament. Suryakumar Yadav is set to captain the T20I side.