Santner will lead New Zealand’s T20I against India

“Ben has made an exciting impact in Auckland early in his career in red-white-ball cricket,” New Zealand chief selector Gavin Larsen said. “Since his debut in late 2017, he has been the Aces’ leading wicket-taker in T20 and A-series cricket. His ability to swing the ball considerably as a left-hander is particularly exciting.

“We all felt for Ben after his tour ended like last year and it’s a testament to his work ethic that he’s been able to come back to domestic cricket so strongly this season.”

Lister’s A-team tour of India had ended abruptly when he contracted pneumonia and was hospitalized in Bengaluru before returning home. He has taken five points in three Super Smash matches in Auckland this season and six points in six innings at the Ford Trophy.

“Mitch is a leader in our whiteball teams and has captained the T20 team in India [in Kolkata in 2021] before,” Larsen said. “His experience in Indian conditions will be invaluable in leading this group.”

NZC said fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson (back), Matt Henry (abdomen), Adam Milne (side) and Ben Sears (back) were not available for selection as they are recovering from injuries.

The New Zealand team is currently in Pakistan, where they have one match remaining in the three-ODI series, tied 1-1 after drawing the two-Test series 0-0. They then travel to India for three ODIs in Hyderabad (January 18), Raipur (January 21) and Indore (January 24) before three T20Is in Ranchi (January 27), Lucknow (January 29) and Ahmedabad (January 1 . February). .

New Zealand T20I squad to India: Mitchell Santner (capt), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner