Gurnoor Brar has been drafted into India’s Test squad for the New Zealand series, while Kuldeep Yadav has been released to play domestic cricket, with the team management opting to bolster the pace attack in favourable conditions. Rishabh Pant, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter, has joined the squad after recovering from back injury.

The Hindu understands that the decision to bring in the lanky fast bowler was influenced by the friendly conditions expected during the Test series, which begins in Wellington on November 19. Brar has impressed during the ongoing ODI series and is expected to provide India with another seam-bowling option.

The 26-year-old has been in New Zealand for well over three weeks. He had initially travelled as part of Test captain Shubman Gill’s personal bowling entourage before joining the ODI squad. Having spent considerable time acclimatising to the conditions, Brar will now link up with the Test contingent and will not be available for the fifth and final ODI. India has decided against naming a replacement for him.

Pant had been recovering after hurting his back during the Irani Cup tie in the first week of October. Having proven his fitness and obtained clearance after featuring in a two-day match simulation in Bengaluru on November 10 and 11, Pant joined the Test squad in Wellington.

Kuldeep, meanwhile, will return home after spending much of the tour on the sidelines. With the left-arm wrist-spinner unlikely to feature prominently in the team’s plans for the two Tests, the management and the selection committee felt that releasing him would allow him to get some much-needed game-time.

The limited-overs leg of the domestic season got underway on Wednesday (November 11, 2026), giving Kuldeep an opportunity to get back into competitive action rather than remain on the bench in New Zealand.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has also joined the Indian squad in Wellington, adding to the team’s options ahead of the Test series.

India’s updated 16-member Test squad will be led by Gill, with K.L. Rahul as vice-captain. Pant and Dhruv Jurel are the two wicketkeeping options, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj and Brar form the pace contingent.