New Zealand has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I World Cup. They revealed the player names with a video where Mitchel Santner, the captain of the team, picked the names of players and put them into a bucket. Notably, this will be the first world campaign as a leader for the left-hand all-rounder. New Zealand went with a kind off same squad from the last T20I World Cup. Kane Williamson, who retired from T20Is in 2025, is not there, along with Trent Boult, who had not renewed his central contract after 2024. Tim Southee, who retired from the game, has also made a way for new players. They only made three force changes from the last edition.
A strong and experienced core
New Zealand can surprise any team with their fierce approach; they made a huge change in their game template under Santner’s captaincy. They have retained the core playing XI from the last edition, which has vast experience in playing different conditions. They went with the same six all-rounders, including Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Mark Cahpamanm, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philips and Michael Bracewell.
In the last year, kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen showed a great temperament across the leagues and for the international side also. While Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra also regained their form in the last West Indies series.
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Jacob Duffy and Adam Milne get a place in the squad in place of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. The new RCB pacer developed himself as one of the prominent bowlers of the side and gained his first World Cup call-up. Ferguson and Matt Henry are also there to add experience in the line-up, along with Ish Sodhi.
Though Ferguson and Matt Henry can take a short paternity leave as their partners are expected to give birth at that time.
“With Ferguson and Henry's partners due to give birth during the tournament period, they will likely be granted short-term paternity leave," NZC said as cited by ESPNCricinfo.
New Zealand is in Group D along with Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, and the UAE, starting their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against Afghanistan.
New Zealand squad for 2026 Men's T20 World Cup
Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi | Travelling reserve: Kyle Jamieson.
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Possible playing XI
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glen Phillips/ Lockie Ferguson, Michel Bracewell, Mitchel Santner, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.
