“Shreyas Iyer Back in Squad, Washington Sundar Sidelined for NZ T20 Series”

Shreyas Iyer Back in T20Is as Washington Sundar Misses India vs New Zealand Series.

Shreyas Iyer has been recalled to India’s T20I squad ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand, replacing the injured Tilak Varma for the first three games. The BCCI confirmed the changes on Friday, January 16.

The 28-year-old Iyer returns to the T20 setup for the first time since the 2023 series against Australia. The Punjab Kings captain has been in sensational form, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title and guiding Punjab Kings to the 2025 IPL final, scoring 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 last season.

All-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to a side strain sustained during India’s first ODI against New Zealand on January 11. Ravi Bishnoi has been named as Sundar’s replacement. Tilak Varma, who was hospitalized recently for acute testicular pain during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, underwent successful surgery and is now recovering.

Iyer’s inclusion gives India additional firepower in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2026, particularly against spin in Indian conditions, even though he is unlikely to be part of the World Cup squad immediately.

Updated India T20I Squad vs New Zealand:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi