India announce squad for New Zealand Tests, Kohli rested for 1st Test

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the squad for the Test series against New Zealand. Ajinkya Rahane has been named the skipper of the side for the first Test, with Virat Kohli joining the squad from the second Test. Meanwhile, several senior players including Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant have been rested from the series.

Advertisment

Also, Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat have received their maiden India call up in Tests. KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal are the three opening options. There were speculations that Prithvi Shaw might also be considered for the series given his recent form but it seems that he will have to wait a little longer for his turn.

Wriddhiman Saha will be the first choice wicketkeeper. In terms of fast bowling, India will have the services of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, while Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be the three spinners. India will have another option in spin bowling all-rounder Jayant Jadav. Meanwhile, there were calls top drop Cheteshwar Pujara from the team after his poor outings in England but the selectors have decided to stick with him for the series.

The series gets underway on November 25 in Kanpur before the caravan moves to Mumbai for second Test from December 3. Before the Tests, the teams will play a three match T20I series starting November 17.

India squad for NZ Tests: A Rahane (C), C Pujara (VC), KL Rahul, M Agarwal, S Gill, S Iyer, W Saha (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Patel, J Yadav, I Sharma, U Yadav, Md Siraj, P Krishna

India’s T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj