India has announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with Mohammed Shami still absent as he recovers from injury. Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed as the vice-captain for the series.
Shami, who last played for India in the Men’s World Cup final against Australia in November of the previous year, remains unavailable. The rest of the Indian squad follows the expected selections after their recent two-match Test series victory against Bangladesh. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who served as the 16th member during the Bangladesh series, has been excluded from the squad.
India’s spin-heavy bowling unit features Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav once again. The pace attack consists of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. The squad includes no back-up opener, retaining a similar batting lineup to the one selected for the Bangladesh series, while Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel serve as the wicketkeeping options.
Meanwhile, three fast bowlers Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna along with all-rounder Nitish Reddy, have been named as traveling reserves.
Pace ace Jasprit Bumrah has also earned the role of vice-captain in the Test team, a recognition of his consistent standout performances in the longest format over the years.
Bumrah recently made headlines by reclaiming the top position in the ICC Test bowling rankings, surpassing his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin. The fast bowler was also the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series against Bangladesh, claiming 11 wickets across two matches at an impressive average of 12.81.
Since returning to the Indian team in August 2023 following back surgery, Bumrah has delivered exceptional performances across all formats. In Tests alone, he has taken 42 wickets in eight matches at an impressive average of 14.69, with best figures of 6/45. The 30-year-old has accumulated 170 wickets from 38 Tests at an average of 20.18, including ten five-wicket hauls. He also had a brief stint as captain during the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston in July 2022.
The series begins on October 16 in Bengaluru, followed by the remaining Tests in Pune and Mumbai. Men in Blue top the WTC standings, whereas New Zealand, the 2021 champions, holds the sixth spot.
India’s squad for the three Tests 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, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
Travelling Reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna
Read More: Nitish Reddy, and Rinku Singh Shine as Bowlers Stiffle Bangladesh To Give India Series Win
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
