New Zealand announce spin-heavy T20 World Cup squad, include in-form RCB pacer

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New Zealand announce spin-heavy T20 World Cup squad, include in-form RCB pacer

New Zealand have announced a spin-heavy T20 World Cup squad tailored for Indian conditions, with in-form pacer Jacob Duffy earning a maiden global tournament call-up after a record-breaking year.

Published by Abhishek Swain | January 07, 2026

New Zealand have prioritised conditions while naming their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka, opting for a spin-heavy combination and rewarding current form. The selection also marks a major milestone for pacer Jacob Duffy, who has earned his maiden call-up to a senior World Cup after a breakthrough year.

Duffy’s inclusion follows an outstanding 2025 that established him among the most effective bowlers in international cricket. The 31-year-old claimed 81 wickets across formats from 36 matches at an average of 17, surpassing Sir Richard Hadlee’s long-standing national record of 79 wickets in a calendar year. He also climbed to second place in the ICC T20I bowling rankings. Despite joining an experienced squad, Duffy is the only player yet to appear in a T20 World Cup.

His rise has also been recognised at franchise level, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru signing him for Rs 2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. At the World Cup, Duffy will form part of a seasoned pace unit featuring Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne, with James Neesham providing seam-bowling depth as an all-rounder. Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling reserve fast bowler.

Mitchell Santner will captain the side and is set to feature in his ninth senior ICC tournament. The squad composition underlines New Zealand’s tactical focus on subcontinental conditions, with spin depth a central pillar. Ish Sodhi is the frontline spinner, supported by versatile options in Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. For Santner and Sodhi, the return to India holds special significance, having made their T20 World Cup debuts at the 2016 edition hosted in the country.

The batting unit remains largely settled, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert offering flexibility and firepower. Seifert is expected to join the squad after completing his Big Bash League commitments, where he began the season with a century for Melbourne Renegades.

Fitness remains under close watch in the build-up to the tournament. Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf) and Santner (adductor) are all following individual return-to-play programmes and are currently expected to be available at the start of the World Cup. Ferguson and Henry may also briefly step away during the tournament, with both players likely to take short paternity leave.

The BLACKCAPS will fine-tune their preparations with a white-ball series in India before the tournament. Drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, South Africa, UAE and Canada, New Zealand will look to blend experience, adaptability and depth as they chase another strong global campaign.

New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad: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.