India has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on October 16, 2024. The series will take place at various venues across India, with the first Test scheduled in Bengaluru.
The Indian team will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Jasprit Bumrah appointed as vice-captain.
This decision highlights Bumrah’s significant role within the team, especially after his impressive performance in the recent series against Bangladesh, where he was one of the joint leading wicket-takers.
The squad remains largely unchanged from the one that secured a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh, indicating a stable selection strategy by the selectors.
One significant absence from the squad is that of Mohammed Shami, who continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Shami had been a crucial player for India, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in that tournament. His absence raises questions about India’s bowling depth, especially against a competitive New Zealand side.
India squad for New Zealand Tests
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
IND vs NZ Test Match Schedule
The Test series will feature three matches:
- IND vs NZ 1st Test: October 16 – October 20, 2024, in Bengaluru
- IND vs NZ 2nd Test: October 24 – October 28, 2024, in Pune
- IND vs NZ 3rd Test: November 1 – November 5, 2024, in Mumbai
This series marks a return to Test cricket for both teams since their last encounter in late 2021, where India defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a two-match series.
India’s Current Form and Expectations
India currently sits atop the World Test Championship points table and enters this series with confidence after their recent success against Bangladesh.
On the other hand, New Zealand is coming off a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Sri Lanka and will be looking to bounce back against a formidable Indian side.
