New Zealand has unveiled a formidable 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, with only one fresh addition to the team. Fourteen of the selected players boast prior World Cup experience, highlighting the side’s reliance on seasoned campaigners for the tournament scheduled to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka.
The Kiwi squad collectively brings the experience of 1,064 T20 International matches, reflecting a wealth of expertise in the shortest format of the game. Making his World Cup debut is pace bowler Jacob Duffy, the 31-year-old who emerges as the sole newcomer in the squad.
Mitchell Santner has been appointed captain, leading a balanced side featuring a blend of pace, spin, and versatile all-rounders. Duffy, currently ranked second among ICC T20 bowlers, enjoyed an exceptional 2025 season, claiming 81 wickets in 36 matches, surpassing the 40-year-old national record of Richard Hadlee (79 wickets).
The pace attack is bolstered by Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne, with Jimmy Neesham providing additional depth as a pace-bowling all-rounder. In the spin department, Santner is supported by Ish Sodhi, New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, while Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra offer both batting depth and spin options.
The batting unit includes Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Tim Seifert, with Seifert also assuming wicketkeeping duties. Several squad members, including Allen, Chapman, Ferguson, Henry, and Santner, are currently recovering from injuries, with New Zealand Cricket confident they will regain full fitness ahead of the tournament.
Additionally, Ferguson and Henry may require brief paternity leave during the World Cup if the birth of their children coincides with matches. Kyle Jamieson has been named as a travelling reserve to provide cover if needed.
New Zealand will compete in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, commencing their campaign against Afghanistan in Chennai on 8 February 2026.
New Zealand T20 World Cup Squad 2026:
| Player | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner | Captain/All-rounder | Spin bowling specialist |
| Finn Allen | Batter | Injury recovery |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder/Spinner | Effective with bat and ball |
| Mark Chapman | Batter | Injury recovery |
| Devon Conway | Batter | Experienced campaigner |
| Jacob Duffy | Pace Bowler | World Cup debut |
| Lockie Ferguson | Pace Bowler | Injury recovery |
| Matt Henry | Pace Bowler | Injury recovery |
| Daryl Mitchell | All-rounder | |
| Adam Milne | Pace Bowler | |
| Jimmy Neesham | Pace-bowling All-rounder | |
| Glenn Phillips | Batter/Spinner | Versatile option |
| Rachin Ravindra | Spinner/Batter | |
| Tim Seifert | Wicketkeeper/Batter | |
| Ish Sodhi | Spinner | Second-highest T20I wicket-taker |
Travelling Reserve: Kyle Jamieson
With a mix of experience, proven performers, and a promising debutant in Duffy, New Zealand enters the 2026 T20 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites, aiming to convert talent into tangible success on the international stage.