ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Just a month away, and New Zealand have officially declared their intentions with the squad built for India and Sri Lanka turning tracks. On January 7, 2026, New Zealand Cricket announced a 15-man unit that balances experienced understanding with the raw, record-breaking pace of its latest star. The Black Caps will feature in a challenging Group D that includes South Africa and Afghanistan in the tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8. With the white-ball series in India finally scheduled for later this month, the Kiwis are wasting no time in adjusting to the subcontinent. A
Jacob Duffy included in Senior World Cup for the first time
The main news of New Zealand selection is the inclusion of 31-year-old fast bowler. jacob duffyWho earned his first senior World Cup call-up after the historic 2025 World Cup. Duffy has turned into a global bowling powerhouse over the past year, claiming a staggering 81 international wickets across all formats at a clinical average of 17. In a moment that etched his name in folklore, he went beyond Sir Richard Hadlee’s 40 year old national record Took 79 wickets in a calendar year during the December Test series against West Indies. This stellar form has seen him rise to second in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, making him the highest-ranked bowler in the team to collectively claim over 1,000 T20I caps.
His meteoric rise has also translated into massive payouts in the franchise circuit. during ipl 2026 auction In December, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Duffy was secured for ₹2 crore, with director of cricket Mo Bobt terming the signing a ‘bargain’ and necessary injury cover. At the World Cup, Duffy will be the only player to debut in the experienced pace battery Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Adam MilneWhereas kyle jamison Travels as speed reserve.
New Zealand’s spin-heavy strategy under Mitchell Santner and Group D ambitions
captain michel santner Will lead a team specifically designed for subcontinent conditions, with an emphasis on spin depth as the main pillar of the team. Santner, entering his ninth senior ICC tournament, will host a slow bowling line-up which also includes specialists Ish Sodhi, Both of them famously made their debut in the 2016 World Cup in India. The team has been further strengthened by multi-skilled all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin RavindraEnsuring that New Zealand can field four or five spin options if required. explosive in the batting department finn allen And Tim Seifert (After his BBL century for Melbourne Renegades) provides the required firepower at the top.
New Zealand find themselves in high-risk Group D as they begin their campaign 8 February against a dangerous afghanistan Towards Chennai. The schedule presents a tough test of adaptability:
- February 8: vs Afghanistan (Chennai)
- 10 February: vs UAE (Chennai)
- 14 February: vs South Africa (Ahmedabad)
- February 17: vs Canada (Chennai)
Despite current fitness concerns for Santner (adductor) and Ferguson (calf), the medical team expects the opener to be at full strength. Notably, the team has also planned short-term paternity leave for Ferguson and Henry, showing a modern, player-first approach to a high-pressure global campaign.
New Zealand ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 15-man squad
Mitchell Santner (captain), 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 (wk), Ish Sodhi