New Zealand Name Spin-Heavy T20 World Cup Squad, Include In-Form RCB Pacer

New Zealand have prioritised conditions while naming a spin-heavy squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, with in-form pacer Jacob Duffy earning his first senior World Cup call-up after a standout year.

Duffy’s selection caps a remarkable 2025 in which he established himself among the most effective bowlers in international cricket. The 31-year-old finished the year with 81 wickets from 36 matches at an average of 17, surpassing Sir Richard Hadlee’s long-standing national record of 79 wickets in a calendar year. He also climbed to second in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, and is the only member of the squad yet to feature in a T20 World Cup.

His rise has been mirrored on the franchise circuit, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing him for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. At the World Cup, Duffy will form part of an experienced pace group alongside Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Adam Milne, with James Neesham adding balance as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling pace reserve.

Mitchell Santner will lead the side and is set to feature in his ninth senior ICC tournament. The squad reflects a clear strategy for subcontinental conditions, with spin depth central to New Zealand’s plans. Ish Sodhi is the specialist spinner, supported by all-round options Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. For Santner and Sodhi, the tournament marks a return to India for a T20 World Cup, where both made their breakthrough at the 2016 edition.

The batting unit remains largely settled, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert providing flexibility and power. Seifert is expected to join the squad after completing his Big Bash League commitments, having begun the season with a century for the Melbourne Renegades.

New Zealand are closely monitoring fitness in the lead-up to the tournament. Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf) and Santner (adductor) are all progressing through return-to-play programmes and are currently expected to be available at the start of the World Cup. Ferguson and Henry may also take brief paternity leave during the event.

The BLACKCAPS will fine-tune preparations with a white-ball series in India before the World Cup. Drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, South Africa, UAE and Canada, New Zealand will look to blend experience, adaptability and depth in another global campaign.

New Zealand T20 World Cup squad

Mitchell Santner (c), 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, Ish Sodhi