India have made a late change to their squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, adding fast bowler Gurnoor Brar and releasing wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav so he can play domestic cricket back home. The move follows Brar's impressive showing in the ongoing ODI series, while Kuldeep struggled in the fourth match.

The 26-year-old Brar has been India's most successful bowler in the series, taking nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.89. His best effort came in Wellington, where he claimed 4/30 to help India defend a modest total and win by four runs under the DLS method. He followed that with 2/69 in 10 overs in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui, taking the wickets of Tim Seifert and Michael Bracewell, although New Zealand went on to post 333 and win by 244 runs. Brar will miss the fifth and final ODI, and no replacement has been named for that match.S1S2

Kuldeep's release comes after a stop-start run in India's limited-overs plans. He was left out of the first three ODIs before getting a chance in the fourth match, which proved difficult. Will Young and Finn Allen attacked him during an expensive spell in which he conceded 73 runs from eight overs without a wicket, with Young scoring 42 off 24 balls against him. His economy rate of 9.12 was the most expensive among India's bowlers in that innings. His Test numbers this year are also modest, with four wickets in two Tests in 2026 at an average of 41.25.S2

Kuldeep's release has been officially attributed to the need to play domestic cricket, and it does not by itself signal a change in India's plans for him in the format. Brar's inclusion gives him a second Test call-up, while Rishabh Pant has also joined the Test squad in Wellington ahead of the first match, which begins on November 19.S2