The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s Test squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand on Friday. Ajinkya Rahane has been named as captain of the side for the first Test as Virat Kohli has been given rest for the Kanpur Test to be played between November 25-29. In addition, India's new T20I skipper Rohit Sharma and frontline bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the Test series which is a part of World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23.
As Rahane will lead the side in the first Test, Pujara has been named his deputy. Kohli will be back in the Test side for the second Test starting on December 3. On the other hand, Jadeja who has been rested for the T20I series will be back with the side for the Test series.
Former Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Shreyas Iyer and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat have earned maiden Test call-up. Jayant Yadav has made a comeback to the side whereas Prasidh Krishna who is yet to make his Test debut has been included in the side as well. The only shocking exclusion is of Hanuma Vihari who last played a Test in Sydney and batted for hours on final day to keep Time Paine-led side from bundling India out. Vihari has recovered from his injury and currently playing in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021.
New Zealand who qualified for the final of T20 World Cup 2021 after beating England in the semi-final are yet to announce their squad for the T20I and Test series.
India Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Cheteshwar Pujara (vc), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Srikar Bharat (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
