India has announced a 15-member Test squad for their upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, part of the ICC World Test Championship. The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. With the first Test scheduled to begin in Bengaluru on October 16, the series promises to be an exciting battle between the two cricketing giants. India currently tops the WTC standings, while New Zealand, the 2021 WTC champions, sits in sixth place, making this series crucial for both teams.
One of the most notable decisions in India's squad selection is the appointment of Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. Known for his remarkable consistency across all formats, Bumrah has proven himself to be one of the world’s top fast bowlers. His inclusion as Rohit Sharma’s deputy highlights the team's confidence in his leadership skills, both on and off the field.
With Mohammed Shami still recovering from an injury, Bumrah will be tasked with leading the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Bumrah's role will be even more critical in the absence of Shami, especially in Indian conditions where reverse swing and disciplined line-and-length bowling are key.
India has once again opted for a spin-heavy bowling lineup for this home series, a strategy that has worked well for them on their turning tracks. The spin attack will be led by veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom are considered among the best all-rounders in Test cricket.
Alongside Ashwin and Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav offer variety and depth. Patel, with his ability to extract sharp turns and bounce, has been a revelation in home conditions, while Kuldeep, with his left-arm wrist spin, brings an unorthodox element to the attack. Together, this quartet ensures that India's spin department is well-rounded and capable of challenging New Zealand's batsmen.
India's top-order features some of the biggest names in cricket. Rohit Sharma will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul forming the backbone of the middle order. The team has opted not to include a backup opener, reflecting the selectors’ faith in the current lineup.
The middle order is further strengthened by Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in exceptional form in domestic cricket, recently smashing a double century in the Irani Cup. His ability to score quickly and dominate spinners could be crucial in the middle phases of the game.
India has selected Rishabh Pant as the primary wicketkeeper for the series. Pant's explosive batting and ability to change the game with his attacking mindset make him a key player in this lineup. Pant’s match-winning knocks in previous Test series, both home and away, have cemented his position as one of India’s top performers in the longest format.
Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel has been named as the second wicketkeeper. Jurel’s consistent performances for India A and in domestic tournaments have earned him this call-up. While Pant is expected to start in the playing XI, Jurel's presence provides a solid backup option.
With Jasprit Bumrah leading the fast-bowling contingent, India’s pace attack includes Mohammed Siraj and the relatively lesser-known Akash Deep. Siraj has been in fine form in Test cricket, particularly in overseas conditions, but his ability to extract movement on Indian tracks will be crucial.
Akash Deep, who impressed in the Irani Cup, offers pace and accuracy, making him a promising option to complement Bumrah and Siraj. The trio forms a balanced pace attack, capable of exploiting both reverse swing and the new ball in Indian conditions.
The BCCI has also named four traveling reserves for this series, ensuring depth and options in case of injuries or form issues. The fast-bowling reserves include Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been selected as an all-rounder.
Prasidh Krishna, known for his ability to generate extra bounce, is a standout name among the reserves. Having already made an impact in white-ball cricket, Krishna’s presence adds another dimension to India’s fast-bowling options. Nitish Kumar Reddy, a young all-rounder, provides versatility, capable of contributing both with the ball and bat.
New Zealand enters this series after a recent series loss to Sri Lanka and with some key transitions in their lineup. Tim Southee, who has stepped down as captain, leaves New Zealand with a leadership void. While the Kiwis have several talented players, they will need to adapt quickly to the spinning conditions in India, which have historically troubled visiting teams.
India, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on New Zealand’s transition phase and home advantage. The pitches in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai are expected to assist spinners, giving India a clear edge with their world-class spin quartet.
India’s squad selection also highlights the team’s focus on emerging talent. Both Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have been retained from the Bangladesh series, reflecting the selectors’ intent to groom young players for the future.
Sarfaraz Khan, in particular, has been knocking on the door of international cricket with his prolific run-scoring in domestic tournaments. His inclusion in the squad offers India a valuable option in the middle order, where his aggressive batting style could be a game-changer.
These venues are known for producing results in Test matches, with spinners playing a significant role. The Indian team will be aiming for nothing less than a series sweep to consolidate further their top position in the World Test Championship standings.
| # | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tie | NR | PCT | Points | Recent Forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 62.5 | 90 | WWLWW |
| 2 | India | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 58.33 | 98 | LLLWW |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 55.56 | 60 | LLWWW |
| 4 | New Zealand | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 54.55 | 72 | WWWLL |
| 5 | South Africa | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 54.17 | 52 | WWWDL |
| 6 | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 40.79 | 93 | LLWLW |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 34.38 | 33 | LWWLL |
| 8 | Pakistan | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 19.5 | 16 | LLLLL |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 18.52 | 20 | LLLDL |
| Recent Forms: W = Won, L = Lost, T = Tie, D = Draw, NR = No Result | |||||||||
For more details on India’s squad and the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, fans will be eagerly awaiting to see how the team performs on home soil. This series also serves as a precursor to the highly anticipated home series against Australia in early 2025, where India will need all hands on deck for another challenging Test series.
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