NZ vs IND 2026: Top 3 players to watch out for in Test series

Wellington and Christchurch will host a two-match Test series between New Zealand and India, with the opening game scheduled for November 19, 2026. The series also serves as India's final away assignment in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

India arrive having secured a 1-0 series win in Sri Lanka, keeping their WTC Final hopes alive, while New Zealand will be buoyed by recent white-ball form at home. Several players from both camps carry strong reasons to be watched closely across the two Tests.

Here are 3 players to watch out for in NZ vs IND Test series:

1. Akash Deep

Akash Deep returns to the Test side after a stress fracture in his back sidelined him for close to eight months. His last Test appearance before this series was against England at The Oval in August 2025, making this a comeback of more than a year. The Bengal pacer demonstrated his fitness during the Irani Cup in Srinagar, where he turned out for the Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir.

Before the injury disrupted his run, Deep had established himself as the preferred third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. With Gurnoor Brar also added to the squad following Kuldeep Yadav's release, India now carry six pace options, but Deep's experience at the highest level gives him a clear edge in the Test context.

2. Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal heads into this series on the back of a remarkable run in Sri Lanka, where he struck two centuries batting at number three. He reached three figures for the first time in international cricket on August 15, 2026, during the first Test at Galle, finishing on 167 off 134 balls as India won. He followed that with 117 in the second Test at SSC Colombo on August 23, 2026, a match that ended in a draw.

Batting coach Sanjay Bangar noted that Padikkal's contributions at number three had addressed several concerns in India's batting order. The 26-year-old retained his place in the squad for New Zealand on the strength of that Sri Lanka showing and will be expected to hold his position alongside Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul at the top.

3. Matt Henry

Matt Henry enters the Test series having made a strong impression in the white-ball leg of this tour. Henry can be described as someone who becomes a different bowler against India, and with the red cherry in hs hand, the senior pacer could be seen making the ball do the talking, especially given the kind of form he is in.

The experienced New Zealand pacer now shifts his attention to the red-ball format, where conditions in Wellington and Christchurch traditionally assist seam bowling. Henry's ability to carry that white-ball momentum into the Tests makes him a key figure for the hosts as they look to challenge a well-resourced Indian batting line-up.