New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have officially announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The squad reflects a clear conditions-based approach, with a strong emphasis on spin and all-round depth for subcontinental pitches.
Mitchell Santner has been named captain, continuing his leadership role in white-ball cricket. The headline inclusion is pacer Jacob Duffy, who has earned his first T20 World Cup selection after a record-breaking 2025 season. New Zealand have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada, and will open their campaign against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.
Jacob Duffy’s Rise and the Pace-Bowling Strategy
Jacob Duffy’s selection is one of the biggest talking points of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad. The 31-year-old enjoyed a stunning 2025, finishing the calendar year with 81 international wickets from 36 matches at an average of 17, breaking Sir Richard Hadlee’s long-standing national record.
Duffy’s consistency across formats pushed him to second place in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, making his World Cup inclusion hard to ignore. His rise has also been rewarded in franchise cricket, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing him for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction.
At the World Cup, Duffy will form part of a strong pace group that includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne, with James Neesham providing seam-bowling support as an all-rounder. Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling reserve, giving New Zealand cover if fitness issues arise during the tournament.
Spin Depth, Fitness Updates, and Conditions in India & Sri Lanka
New Zealand’s squad selection highlights their focus on spin-friendly conditions in India and Sri Lanka. The BLACKCAPS have packed their side with multiple spin options, led by Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, and supported by Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra.
For Santner and Sodhi, returning to India holds special significance, having first made their mark during the 2016 T20 World Cup. The batting unit remains settled, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert offering flexibility and power through the order.
NZC are closely monitoring player fitness ahead of the tournament. Santner (adductor), Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), and Henry (calf) are all in rehabilitation but are expected to be available. Ferguson and Henry may also miss select group matches due to short-term paternity leave, which NZC has agreed to accommodate.
New Zealand will fine-tune preparations with a white-ball series in India before the tournament, aiming to combine experience, adaptability, and balance in another major ICC event.
