India Squad For New Zealand Tests Announced; KS Bharat & Shreyas Iyer Makes The Cut

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Friday announced team India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand.

As expected, senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the first Test match.

In the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – Ajinkya Rahane would lead the side in the first Test. There were some new addition to the Indian side as well in the form of KS Bharat and Shreyas Iyer.

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Mayank Agarwal is expected to open the innings with Shubman Gill with KL Rahul at no.3 in Virat Kohli’s absence during the first Test.

In the absence of Rishabh Pant, senior wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha has been selected in the squad. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been rested from the T20I series against the New Zealand has also been selected in the Test squad.

In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, selectors have picked Prasidh Krishna in the Test squad. Md. Siraj and Axar Patel have also been picked in the squad.

India’s Test squad against New Zealand:

Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.