The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 17 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The selection committee has opted for continuity, retaining the same squad that recently triumphed 2-0 against Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. Currently sitting at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, India will aim to extend their dominance in the upcoming series.
Jasprit Bumrah Named Vice-Captain
One of the key highlights of the squad announcement is Jasprit Bumrah’s appointment as vice-captain. His consistent performances in the longest format have earned him this leadership role. The pacer has been a vital asset for India across all formats, and his appointment reflects the selectors’ confidence in his ability to guide the team both on and off the field. Bumrah’s role will be crucial, especially with Mohammed Shami still recovering from an injury that has sidelined him since the 2023 World Cup final.
Changes in the Squad
The only significant change to the squad is the omission of Yash Dayal, who was part of the Bangladesh series but has been left out for the New Zealand series. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami remains unavailable as he continues to recover from his ankle injury. The experienced pacer has made it clear that he will not rush back until he is fully fit, preferring to avoid the risk of long-term injury. To ensure depth, the BCCI has named four travelling reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna.
Focus on Emerging Talent
Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who didn’t feature in the Bangladesh series, have been retained for the New Zealand Tests. Both players showcased their talent during the Irani Cup, with Sarfaraz scoring a remarkable double century and Jurel impressing with a score of 97 for the Rest of India (ROI). India may look to rotate their squad and give opportunities to these players, along with others like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, to ensure they are match-ready ahead of the highly anticipated Australia series.
Test Schedule and Venue Details
After the first Test in Bengaluru, India and New Zealand will head to Pune for the second match, followed by the third and final Test in Mumbai. With the Kiwis coming off a series loss in Sri Lanka and Tim Southee stepping down as captain, the Indian team will be eager to capitalize on New Zealand’s transitional phase and secure another series victory in the World Test Championship cycle.
India squad for the Test series against New Zealand:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep.
Reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna
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