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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 4 spinners, 4 pacers, 5 batsmen in 15-man squad
- 2🏆 Jacob Duffy's maiden T20WC call-up after 81 wickets in 2025
- 3💡 Chennai familiarity for Santner, Conway, Ravindra, Mitchell from CSK
- 4🔮 Group D: Afghanistan, UAE, South Africa, Canada starting Feb 7
"The Black Caps have leaned into spin and experience as they gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with conditions in India firmly shaping their selection."
Mitchell Santner takes charge as New Zealand unveil a spin-loaded squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, banking on subcontinent conditions to fuel their comeback after last edition's heartbreak. Jacob Duffy bags his maiden call-up after a stellar 2025, headlining alongside injured stars like Lockie Ferguson.
Spin Attack Tailored for India
The Black Caps go heavy on tweakers with Santner, Ish Sodhi, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips ready to exploit turning tracks in Chennai and beyond. Pace isn't neglected though—Duffy, Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, and all-rounder James Neesham form a sharp unit, with Kyle Jamieson as reserve. Batting firepower comes from Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and keeper Tim Seifert, blending CSK familiarity with raw power.
Group D pits them against Afghanistan, UAE, South Africa, and Canada, with three Chennai games suiting the IPL-tested core. Neesham's 17 T20I wickets in 2025 add bite down the order.
"We've got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt." — NZ coach Rob Walter
Warm-ups in India and a US clash set the tone for February 7 kickoff—Black Caps mean business.
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