Kristian Clarke Gets Black Caps Call-Up for India T20I Series Amid Milne, Bracewell Injury Concerns

New Zealand have bolstered their squad for the upcoming T20I series against India by adding promising young all-rounder Kristian Clarke to the roster. The 20-year-old will feature in the first three matches of the five-game series as the Black Caps navigate injury concerns to two key players ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Injury Concerns Cloud New Zealand's T20 World Cup Preparations

The decision to include Clarke comes as New Zealand deal with fitness issues affecting two crucial members of their T20 World Cup squad. Pace bowler Adam Milne is nursing a hamstring injury sustained during his stint in the SA20 domestic tournament in South Africa, while experienced spinner Michael Bracewell picked up a calf injury in the third and final ODI against India.

Both Milne and Bracewell are named in New Zealand's 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup, which commences on February 7. The latter stages of this India series will provide them with a crucial opportunity to prove their match fitness before the global showpiece event.

Clarke Impresses in ODI Series Against India

Clarke's inclusion is a reward for his outstanding performances during the recent ODI series, where New Zealand emerged victorious against India. The young all-rounder showcased his bowling prowess and demonstrated remarkable composure in high-pressure situations.

New Zealand coach Rob Walter praised Clarke's temperament and abilities, noting his readiness for international cricket.

"We've got a fair bit of player movement at the moment with some guys returning from injury for this series, others joining us immediately from franchise cricket and the rest coming off the India ODI series and Super Smash. We want to ensure we've got enough pace-bowling options for the first three games of this series and it's a great opportunity for Kristian to stay on with the group a little longer on his first tour of India."

Walter further emphasized Clarke's mental strength:

"He certainly showcased his talent in the ODI series, but what was particularly impressive was his calmness and ability to perform under pressure."

Squad Composition and Bowling Depth

With Clarke's addition, New Zealand have ensured adequate pace-bowling cover for the early stages of the series. The Black Caps squad features a blend of experience and youth, with captain Mitchell Santner leading a side that includes seasoned campaigners like Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips, alongside emerging talents.

The bowling attack will rely heavily on the likes of Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Kyle Jamieson in the absence of a fully fit Milne, while Ish Sodhi provides spin support alongside Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra.

Series Schedule: Five T20Is Across India

The T20I series kicks off in Nagpur on January 21 and will traverse across five Indian venues:

• First T20I: January 21, Nagpur
• Second T20I: January 23, Raipur
• Third T20I: January 25, Guwahati
• Fourth T20I: January 28, Visakhapatnam
• Fifth T20I: January 31, Thiruvananthapuram

Looking Ahead to T20 World Cup 2026

This series against India serves as vital preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup. For New Zealand, the priority will be to get their injured players back to full fitness while also giving opportunities to youngsters like Clarke to stake their claim for future selection.

The Black Caps will be hoping to carry the momentum from their ODI series victory into the T20I format, building confidence and cohesion before the global tournament commences in February.

New Zealand T20I Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke (first three games), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi