New Zealand include two debutants as they announce squad for India T20I series

Batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and Central Stags paceman Blair Tickner earned maiden Twenty20 International (T20I) call-ups for New Zealand on Wednesday ahead of the three-match series against India. 

The series will start after the five-match ODI series between the two teams end on Sunday. India have already won the series 3-0 with the final two matches will be played as dead rubbers. 

According to the press release from New Zealand Cricket, Mitchell has been included in the squad after a strong Super Smash campaign, New Zealand's T20 tournament, and some solid form for New Zealand A in one-day cricket, while Tickner will join the team for the third match in Hamilton; replacing Lockie Ferguson.

Doug Bracewell brought in as a replacement for the injured Jimmy Neesham ahead of the most recent T20 against Sri Lanka, has retained his place in the squad.

New Zealand Cricket's selector, Gavin Larsen said Mitchell had won over the selectors on the back of impressive performances for the Knights, the most recent of which saw him smash 61 off just 23 balls against the Stags in Napier.

“Both Daryl and Blair have been rewarded for the strong form they’ve produced in domestic cricket. They’ve been there or thereabouts for most of the season and both featured in our NZ A short-format teams.

Daryl has shown his value with the bat and also tends to bowl at some tough times for the Knights, and Blair is well-respected among his team-mates and opponents alike as someone who bowls a heavy ball at good pace," Larsen said. 

Tickner will replace Ferguson for the third T20 while Trent Boult’s workload continues to be managed.

Kane Williamson, who was rested for the one-off T20I against Sri Lanka earlier, will play against India and will place Henry Nicholls in the side.

The three-game series against India is scheduled to begin next week in Wellington. The final two games of the tour will be played at Auckland and Hamilton respectively. 

New Zealand's T20I squad for India series: Kane Williamson (c), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (Matches 1 & 2), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner (Match 3)