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New Zealand Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand Cricket has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. For the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the Kiwi team has placed its faith in experience and spin bowling strength. Veteran all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been appointed captain.
The 'Blackcaps' Squad is Full of Experience
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This New Zealand team is not short on experience. The entire squad boasts a massive combined experience of 1064 T20 International matches. Captain Mitchell Santner himself will be playing in his ninth senior ICC tournament. The team's main goal will be to leverage their experience on the subcontinent pitches and win the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time.
Jacob Duffy: The Rise of a New Star
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The most surprising and pleasant name in this team is Jacob Duffy. The 31-year-old Duffy is the only player in this 15-member squad who will be playing in his first senior World Cup.
- He is currently ranked second in the ICC T20 rankings.
- In 2025, he broke Sir Richard Hadlee's 40-year-old record by taking 81 wickets in 36 matches.
- He was recently acquired by RCB in the IPL auction.
Special Strategy for Chennai Pitches
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New Zealand will play three of their first-round matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The pitches in Chennai are considered helpful for spinners, and accordingly, the team has an abundance of spin options:- Mitchell Santner: Captain and main spinner.
- Ish Sodhi: New Zealand's second most successful T20 bowler.
- All-rounder options: Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra.
Lethal Pace Attack: The Perfect Blend of Speed and Accuracy
Even though the focus is on spin, the Kiwi team's pace attack is also quite lethal. The trio of Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne, along with Duffy, has the potential to dismantle any batting order. Jimmy Neesham will provide balance to the team as a fast-bowling all-rounder, while Kyle Jamieson has been included as a traveling reserve.
Also Read: Can Joe Root Break Sachin Tendulkar Record? A Statistical Analysis
New Zealand's explosive batting lineup for the T20 World Cup 2026.
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New Zealand's batting lineup is a mix of power-hitters and technically sound players.
- Top Order: The pair of Finn Allen and Devon Conway is ready to provide an aggressive start.
- Middle Order: Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Glenn Phillips will strengthen the middle order.
- Wicketkeeper: Tim Seifert will handle the wicketkeeping duties. He recently also scored a magnificent century in the Big Bash League.
Statement from Head Coach Rob Walter
"We have a lot of power in our batting and bowlers who can adapt to the conditions of the subcontinent. This is an experienced group and the players are well aware of the conditions here, which will be a big plus point for us."
New Zealand's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner | Captain / All-rounder |
| Finn Allen | Batsman |
| Devon Conway | Batsman |
| Tim Seifert | Wicketkeeper / Batsman |
| Daryl Mitchell | Batsman |
| Glenn Phillips | All-rounder |
| Rachin Ravindra | All-rounder |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| James Neesham | All-rounder |
| Mark Chapman | Batsman |
| Jacob Duffy | Fast bowler |
| Lockie Ferguson | Fast bowler |
| Matt Henry | Fast bowler |
| Adam Milne | Fast bowler |
| Ish Sodhi | Spinner |
Also Read: Who is Aman Rao? The USA-Born Star Who Smashed a Double Century vs Bengal
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