Bishnoi, Iyer Added to India Squad for T20Is Against New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have been added to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand series, replacing injured players Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma. Sundar is out with a side strain, while Varma is recovering from abdominal surgery. Iyer will play the first three T20Is, and Bishnoi brings experience with 61 wickets in 42 T20Is. The updated squad is led by Suryakumar Yadav. Washington Sundar, India's spin-bowling allrounder, has been ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand due to a side strain. He suffered an acute onset discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling in the first ODI and is currently undergoing scans. Sundar will report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for further management after a few days' rest. Ayush Badoni has replaced him for the ongoing ODIs. Legspinner Bishnoi, meanwhile, last played a T20I against England almost a year ago in Mumbai. He also featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, after playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he picked up nine wickets in seven games with an economy rate of 8.72. Sundar's injury raises concerns about his availability for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. The BCCI is preparing backup plans, considering players like Riyan Parag, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Harpreet Brar as potential replacements. Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravi Bishnoi.