Ajinkya Rahane to lead in the first Test against New Zealand, Shami, Bumrah, Rohit rested

The All India Senior Selection Committee has announced India’s squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will begin in Kanpur on November 25. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team in the first Test match against the Kiwis while Virat Kohli will take over the captaincy duties for the second Test as he is rested for the first game.

Rohit Sharma, who was expected to lead in Kohli’s absence, has been rested from the two-match Test series. Furthermore, India’s main fast bowlers Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah have also been given rest to manage their workload. Rishabh Pant has also received rest from the two-match Test series.

Shreyas Iyer, who has been a consistent performer in first-class cricket, has received a place in the squad. KS Bharat will be the backup wicket-keeper while Wriddhiman Saha will be expected to keep wickets.

Shubman Gill also returns to the squad after missing the Test series against England due to injury. Axar Patel and Jayant Yadav have been included along with veteran spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Prasidh Krishna, who has impressed with his raw pace, also makes the cut into the squad and he will join the pace battery of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav.

India Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain first Test), Virat Kohli (Rested for first Test, Captain for second) KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Meanwhile, it has been reported that new head coach Rahul Dravid has addressed the issue of players’ fatigue with the Cricket Advisory Committee.

A BCCI official was quoted as saying by Indian Express on the matter: “The BCCI will decide on which player needs to be rested depending on how much cricket is being played. We are aware of the fatigue issue. The player who has been rested will get his place back in the team even if the replacement does well.”