Top India Stars Missing NZ T20Is Despite Being a Part of T20 WC Squad

The Indian Cricket Team, after the recently concluded ODI series, will be playing the five-match T20I series against the New Zealand Cricket Team. The opening game of the series is set to be played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on January 21.

The T20Is in the IND vs NZ series will be a great opportunity for the Men in Blue to get in the groove for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on February 7. The five games, no doubt, will allow them to find the correct balance and combination for the showpiece event.

However, going into the series, there will be some concerns for the defending champions as some of the key players are injured. Although, they have named the replacements, but those players are likely to comeback for the T20 World Cup 2026, which won’t allow India to find a perfect balance. As the IND vs NZ 1st T20I is set to begin, we take a look at top India stars who are missing the New Zealand T20I matches despite being part of the World Cup squad.

Top Indian Players Missing NZ T20 series Despite Being a Part of T20 WC Squad

The preparations for Team India for the T20 World Cup 2026 are mostly done with players aware of their roles. However, the injury to two of the key players might affect the team's combination. Let's find out those players who were unable to make it to the India squad for New Zealand T20 series 2026 but are a part of the mega showpiece event later.

1. Tilak Varma

Just ahead of the India vs New Zealand T20I series, India suffered a massive blow as Tilak Varma, who was playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, suffered lower abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with Testicular Torsion and then had to undergo surgery for the same.

As a result, Tilak, one of the best T20 batsmen in the world, was ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. But, there is a possibility that he will be back in the last two games and the T20 World Cup 2026. In his absence, BCCI has added Shreyas Iyer to the side for the first three games.

But, it is unlikely that Shreyas Iyer will get a game as captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Ishan Kishan will be preferred over Iyer as he is part of the T20 World Cup squad.

2. Washington Sundar

Another injury blow that India suffered ahead of the IND vs NZ series of the all-rounder Washington Sundar. During the first ODI against New Zealand, he faced a rib injury and left the field after bowling just five overs. Although, he came out to bat in the second innings, but he was struggling to run.

Later, the BCCI confirmed that he will miss the ODI series as well as the T20Is. Moreover, there are also doubts about him being a part of India squad for T20 World Cup 2026. Being one of the best all-rounders in the world, his absence will be felt in this series.

Ravi Bishnoi has replaced Sundar in the squad for the New Zealand T20Is. However, it is also unlikely that he will get a chance as India bolsters a great spin attack with the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.