The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning on Wednesday in Bengaluru. BCCI in a statement yesterday said Rohit Sharma will lead the team. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been named as vice-captain. Mohammad Shami, who suffered an injury during last year’s ODI World Cup, has not been selected for the series. The batting lineup remains the same as it was against Bangladesh, with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Sarfaraz Khan continuing in the squad. The team is spin-heavy, featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, who are expected to form a three-pronged attack in the playing XI.
The opening Test will begin on 16th of this month in Bengaluru. The second Test will start on 24th of October in Pune. The series will conclude in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, with the third Test commencing on November 1st.
India are currently on top of the World Test Championships (WTC) standings while New Zealand, title-winners in 2021, are in sixth position. Rohit Sharma’s side will be looking forward to consolidating its position in the WTC standings ahead of the all-important tour of Australia starting in December-January.
