India is set to engage in a home Test series against New Zealand, fielding a squad that closely resembles the one that competed against Bangladesh in September. This continuity is largely due to Mohammed Shami's inability to recover in time; he remains sidelined as India's last red-ball fixtures loom, particularly with a significant five-Test series in Australia scheduled for later this year. Alongside Shami, Yash Dayal, who received his first Test call-up for the Bangladesh series, will also miss this series. Jasprit Bumrah, however, has been appointed vice-captain for the three-match Test series against New Zealand, taking on a critical leadership role amid uncertainties regarding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test in Australia, which is set to commence in Perth on November 22.
India's recent Test series against Bangladesh did not feature a formally designated vice-captain, but Bumrah is no stranger to the role. He has previously served as vice-captain during two-Test series against Sri Lanka in March 2022 before continuing in that capacity during the two-Test series tour of South Africa in the 2023-24 season. Notably, Bumrah has also spearheaded the Indian side once during a one-off Test match in England in 2022 when Rohit Sharma was forced to withdraw due to a positive Covid-19 test result.
Shami's absence is noteworthy as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury that necessitated surgical intervention. His last competitive appearance was during the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad in November 2023. There was considerable hope that he would regain full match fitness during the ongoing home season, ensuring he is ready for the critical series in Australia.
In a development for Indian cricket, Mayank Yadav, a promising fast bowler who debuted in T20 internationals earlier this month against Bangladesh, will join the Test squad as a travelling reserve alongside Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. This inclusion highlights India's commitment to maintaining a robust pipeline of talent as they approach this crucial Test series.
India's three-match Test series against New Zealand begins on October 16 in Bengaluru, followed by fixtures in Pune and Mumbai. New Zealand enters the series facing a significant injury setback as their captain, Kane Williamson, battles a groin injury. This absence could impact New Zealand’s performance and overall strategy throughout the series.
Currently, India stands at the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, boasting an impressive 74.24 percentage points accrued from 11 Test matches. Achieving victories in their remaining eight Test matches, which includes three against New Zealand at home and five away in Australia, would propel them to a formidable 85.09%. Nevertheless, a more prudent objective for the team will be to secure enough points to guarantee a position in the WTC final, irrespective of outcomes from other competing teams.
India's Test squad for the impending series against New Zealand comprises the following players:
Rohit Sharma (captain)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
KL Rahul
Sarfaraz Khan
Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Siraj
Akash Deep
Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)
Accompanying the main squad as travelling reserves are Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna.
As the series unfolds, the cricketing world will keenly observe how India's squad dynamics evolve, particularly in light of injuries and leadership changes. The focus will undoubtedly remain on Bumrah's performance as vice-captain, and the team’s ability to adapt and emerge victorious against a New Zealand side eager to capitalize on their injury concerns.