BCCI announces 15-member India squad for New Zealand Test series

The BCCI has announced a 15-member India squad for the upcoming New Zealand Tour of India, starting on October 16. India previously played a two-match Test series against Bangladesh without naming a vice-captain. However, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has now been named as the Indian vice-captain for the three-match India vs New Zealand Test series. This announcement comes as a significant update, following reports suggesting Rohit Sharma’s unavailability for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Skipper Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to miss the first two of the five Tests scheduled for India in Australia later this year. Consequently, India has appointed Jasprit Bumrah to step in, if necessary, during the Australia series.

BCCI names 15-member squad for the India vs New Zealand Test series

The BCCI has retained most of the squad that completed a series whitewash over Bangladesh at home in September. However, expectations surrounding the return of Mohammed Shami have been dashed once again, as the pacer has not yet fully recovered from his ankle injury, making him unavailable for the home Test series against New Zealand. Meanwhile, young pacers Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna have been named as travelling reserves for the India squad.

Mayank Yadav, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, recently made his T20I debut in the ongoing India vs Bangladesh series. Harshit Rana, who is also part of the India T20I squad for the Bangladesh series, is yet to earn his India cap but is expected to debut in the third and final India vs Bangladesh T20I on Saturday in Hyderabad. Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, is currently playing for Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Yash Dayal, who earned his maiden India call-up for the India vs Bangladesh Test series, has been dropped for the New Zealand series. Apart from him, the squad mirrors the 16-member group selected for the home series against Bangladesh. KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep remain part of the side. It will be interesting to see if Sarfaraz Khan earns a place in the Indian playing XI, following his impressive 222* run stand for Mumbai in the recently concluded Irani Cup.

India squad for the three-match India vs New Zealand Test series: 

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