India vs New Zealand Test Squad Announced: Shami Out, Mayank Yadav and Harshit Rana in Reserves
India has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, set to begin on October 16, 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this announcement on October 11, revealing a 15-member squad that features some notable changes.
Full Details of the Squad
Captain and Vice-Captain
Rohit Sharma will lead the team, while Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed as the vice-captain. This marks a significant elevation for Bumrah, who previously captained India in one Test against England in 2022.Key Players in the Squad
The squad includes several star players:
- Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel
- All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
Notable Absences
Mohammed Shami is notably absent from the squad as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. His absence is a significant blow to the team, as Shami has been a key player in India’s bowling lineup. The selectors have opted not to replace him with another fast bowler from the main squad.Travelling Reserves
The BCCI has also named four travelling reserves:
- Harshit Rana
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Mayank Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
Mayank Yadav’s inclusion is particularly interesting as he recently made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna are also seen as valuable options for fast bowling depth.
Schedule of the Series
The Test series will take place over three matches:
- 1st Test: October 16-21 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- 2nd Test: October 24-28 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
- 3rd Test: November 1-5 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
This series is crucial for both teams as they prepare for the ICC World Test Championship. India currently sits atop the WTC standings and aims to solidify its position with strong performances against New Zealand.
A wicket on the very first ball of the innings!
Mayank Yadav doesn’t take long to provide #TeamIndia their first breakthrough ⚡️#INDvBAN | @BCCI pic.twitter.com/SwCPemXrLO
— Atulkrishan (@iAtulKrishan1) October 12, 2024
Context and Implications
The absence of Shami raises questions about India’s pace attack depth heading into this series. Jasprit Bumrah’s promotion to vice-captain suggests he may be groomed for future leadership roles, especially with reports indicating that Rohit Sharma might miss one of the Tests during India’s upcoming tour of Australia.
The selectors have maintained a familiar look to the squad following India’s recent success against Bangladesh, where they secured a 2-0 victory. The team dynamics appear stable, but the pressure will be on them to deliver consistent performances against New Zealand.
