Overview
- India open a five-match T20I series against New Zealand on January 21 in Nagpur, with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah returning, Tilak Varma unavailable for the first three games after abdominal surgery, Washington Sundar ruled out, and Shreyas Iyer plus Ravi Bishnoi added as cover.
- New Zealand reported Adam Milne’s left hamstring injury and Michael Bracewell’s left calf strain, adding all-rounder Kristian Clarke as cover for the first three T20Is while Bracewell’s involvement is being monitored.
- New Zealand arrive with confidence after a 2-1 ODI series win in India, their first ODI series victory there in 37 years, as captain Mitchell Santner frames the T20Is as key preparation.
- Australia named a 17-player squad for three T20Is in Lahore from January 29 to February 1, resting World Cup selections including Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Nathan Ellis, and calling up uncapped BBL standouts Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards under captain Mitch Marsh.
- Selector George Bailey said Pat Cummins will delay his reintegration, expecting to join Australia’s T20 World Cup group around game three or four as part of a cautious return from a back injury.