Manav Suthar Omission from NZ vs IND 2026 Tests [Confirmed] – Why He Was Left Out

Former Indian opener Abhinav Mukund says Manav Suthar was omitted from the New Zealand versus India 2026 Test squad because the BCCI wants him to focus on the upcoming five‑match Border‑Gavaskar series as part of their long‑term player development plan. According to verified reports from Sportskeeda Esports & BGMI, the decision was taken during the final selection meeting on October 12, 2026, citing Suthar’s recent form in domestic T20 leagues as insufficient for the Test format. Mukund, who retired in 2022, argued that the Indian board prefers to groom Suthar for the high‑stakes series against Australia later in the year, rather than the New Zealand tour. The move sparked debate on social media, with analysts questioning the impact on India’s spin balance. For deeper insights on roster shifts, see our recent coverage of Team Soul’s PMGC qualification [Team Soul Wins BMSD 2026: PMGC Qualification [Confirmed]](/news/team-soul-wins-bmsd-2026-pmgc).