India's squad for tests against New Zealand announced; Big names like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma are left out.
India's Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand was announced on Friday. The All-India Senior Selection Committee picked the squad for the two-match Test series starting from November 25.
Top-order batter Rohit Sharma, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and the pace-bowling duo of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are not in the squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, beginning in Kanpur on November 25.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), while announcing the squad for the two Tests, did not give any reason for their exclusion, although it is widely speculated that they have been rested due to the gruelling schedule over the last six months.
India will also be without Virat Kohli for the opening Test but he will return for the second Test in Mumbai, scheduled from December 3-7. Ajinkya Rahane will captain India in the Kanpur Test, with Cheteshwar Pujara named his deputy.
India's Test squad for NZ series: Ajinkya Rahane (c), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vc), Shubman Gill, S Iyer, Wriddiman Saha (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, J Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohd Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
India will play New Zealand in three T20Is (November 17, 19 and 21) and two Tests (November 25-29 and December 3-7). The first Test will be played at Kanpur and the second will take place at Mumbai.
What's Your Reaction?
