Cheteshwar Pujara has predicted India's playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand, selecting four pacers and just one spinner in his preferred line-up. The first Test is scheduled for November 19-23, at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington.
The combination leans heavily on pace, which is consistent with the conditions typically expected at Welligton. Meanwhile, he has also backed Devdutt Padikkal to take up the position at number three in the batting order with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting for the visitng side, set to be led by Shubman Gill.
The selection of Padikkal in the predicted XI comes on the back of his strong recent form. The left-hander scored two centuries during India's tour of Sri Lanka ahead of this series, making a strong case for a Test berth. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's inclusion, however, remains subject to fitness clearance.
What does India's full squad for the New Zealand Tests look like?
India's squad for the New Zealand Test series, announced ahead of the tour. Pujara's predicted XI draws entirely from this squad. Notably, he has left out Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj and Sai Sudharsan from his preferred first-Test combination. The inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy as an all-rounder gives the side a fifth bowling option alongside the four frontline pacers.
Jadeja is the sole specialist spinner in Pujara's predicted line-up, reflecting the expectation that New Zealand conditions at Wellington will offer more assistance to pace bowlers than to spin.
Pujara's predicted XI (via Cricinfo): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna
India's full squad for New Zealand Tests
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
When and where will the two Tests between India and New Zealand be played?
The two-match Test series between India and New Zealand will be played across two venues. The first Test runs from November 19-23, 2026 at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington, while the second Test is scheduled for November 27 to December 1, 2026 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Before the Test series gets under way, India will play five T20 Internationals and five One-Day Internationals against New Zealand. The ODI leg of the tour is scheduled from November 4-15, 2026, giving both sides a substantial period of white-ball cricket before the red-ball matches begin.
The Test series forms the final leg of a busy tour that covers all three formats. India's squad depth across pace and spin options gives the team management several selection decisions to make before the Wellington Test begins.
