Straight out of a thrilling national series, Team India is set to embark on an expedition far away from home. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named a star-studded 16-player squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand slated for October 22nd to November 1st.

While skipper Shreyas Iyer is all set to continue leading the team, the vice-captaincy will once again be shared by experienced campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is back in the squad after nearly a year, as well as young spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who returns to the fray after injury kept him out of the last assignment against the Black Caps in Napier back in November 2025.

However, beneath the new faces and old heroes lies the backbone of a champion side, with five players from the current squad being a part of India's 2025 ICC Champions Trophy-winning team in the UAE.

Let's take a look at Indian players who carry the golden feeling to the land of the long white cloud

1. Shreyas Iyer (Captain)

Shreyas Iyer, the architect of India's batting stability, arrives in New Zealand on the back of a sensational Champions Trophy 2025. The opening batter notched 243 runs from five innings at an average of 48.60, to finish as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. Iyer's penchant for playing a composed knock under pressure shone through as he amassed a gritty 56 against Pakistan and a composed 79 against New Zealand in the group stage. He followed it up with a well-played 45 against Australia in the semis and 48 in the final against the Black Caps. For Iyer, playing the role of captain in New Zealand will be a cakewalk.

2.Axar Patel

Axar Patel, a quintessential modern white-ball all-rounder, makes his way to New Zealand on the back of a miserable spell of bowling during the UAE win. The left-arm spinner picked up five crucial wickets while maintaining an economy of 4.35. Patel also played a handy role with the bat, scoring 109 runs at 27.25, including a vital 42 against New Zealand and 27 against Australia. And a well-timed 29 in the final as his side clinched the title. Patel's ability to plug gaps under pressure makes him a valuable asset in overseas conditions.

3. Kuldeep Yadav

Wrist-spin has always been a captain's trump card, and Kuldeep Yadav has been his absolute trump card in the UAE with a seven-wicket haul at an economy of 4.79. While his 3/40 against Pakistan was special, his best came in the final against New Zealand. The leg-spinner wrapped up the tail with a bag of 2/40 from 10 overs in the final, including the vital dismissals of Rachin Ravindra (cleaned up by a classic googly for 37) and Kane Williamson. Yadav's bag of tricks will be India's nightmare on bouncy New Zealand pitches.

4. Varun Chakravarthy

The knee injury has kept him sidelined for a while, and Varun Chakravarthy is expected to turn up as one of the most feared names in the squad. Chakravarthy, a surprise pick for the 2025 Champions Trophy, has picked 9 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 15.11. The leg-spinner's 5/42 against New Zealand in Dubai fetched him the Player of the Match honors before he played crucial roles in the knockout fixtures. Fully fit now, Chakravarthy's mystery spin will unlock the Kiwi tracks.

5. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh didn't figure in India's playing XI for the Champions Trophy in UAE, but the left-arm pacer has emerged as a crucial member of the Indian white-ball setup. Arshdeep has picked 30 wickets from 18 ODIs at 25.16, while the Punjab Kings star has already notched one five-wicket haul this season.

Singh has had a sensational domestic season against the West Indies, and his ability to swing the new ball and yorker at the death will be crucial against New Zealand. With the first Test starting on October 22, the clash between the two cricket powerhouses will see fireworks.