India Test squad for New Zealand: Kohli rested for 1st Test, Rahane to lead

India Test squad for New Zealand: – Ajinkya Rahane to lead: As reported by InsideSport, Virat Kohli has been rested for the 1st Test and Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed to lead the side. Rohit Sharma has been rested for the entire series. Cheteshwar Pujara has been appointed as the vice-captain. Jayant Yadav has earned a call back while Prasidh Krishna has been added to the Test squad. Follow India vs New Zealand T20I & Test series Live Updates on InsideSport.in.

Virat Kohli will return to lead the side in the 2nd Test after BCCI approved an extended break for the India skipper. As for other members in the squad, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami have also been rested while Rishabh Pant too will be on break after the T20I series against New Zealand.

IND vs NZ Test: Virat Kohli rested for 1st Test, Ajinkya Rahane to lead, Jayant Yadav returns to Test side

Shreyas Iyer who could only manage a place in reserves for the T20 World Cup has been given a Test call-up. If selected in Playing XI, he will make his Test debut. The keeping option is likely to go to Wriddhiman Saha who warmed the bench in England. KS Bharat has been added to the squad as well. The surprise omission was of Hanuma Vihari. The Hyderabad batsman was part of England tour but warmed the bench.

Also Read: IND vs NZ Series: Rahul Dravid’s master-act, individually calls each player as he resumes coaching role

InsideSport earlier reported that Rahul Dravid called each player individually and asked them if they wanted to rest. As for the decision on Rohit Sharma, it was decided by the selection committee that he should be rested for the Test series.

The Test vice-captaincy for the 1st Test was also up for debate but it was decided that Cheteshwar Pujara was the better candidate than KL Rahul, who is all set to get the vice-captaincy role in T20Is.

IND vs NZ Test: Virat Kohli rested for 1st Test, Ajinkya Rahane to lead, Jayant Yadav returns to Test side

India is yet to name their test squad for the two match series. According to sources, after Dravid’s ONE to ONE conversation with the players – selectors were informed on Thursday on the availability of the players. The selectors will now officially unveil the squad today.

Dravid called each player individually
He asked players about the state of their mental & physical fitness
Asked them to take REST if REQUIRED
Assured them of their PLACES in the Indian team, even if youngster comes and performs big
Also did brief conversation on what he & the Indian cricket expects out of the individual

IND vs NZ Test: Virat Kohli rested for 1st Test, Ajinkya Rahane to lead, Jayant Yadav returns to Test side

Indian Squad for New Zealand Test Series: After individual calls with members of the Indian squad, it was decided to rest some of the key squad members before the team departs for a very difficult tour of SOUTH AFRICA.

Going forward, India has a completely packed schedule till the next T20 World Cup in Australia. The Indian squad will leave for South Africa on December 8 and will play 3 Tests, 3 ODI & 4 T20’s.

The tour will be followed by a gruelling home season which includes the series vs the West Indies & Sri Lanka followed by 10 team IPL 2022.

Seeing this gruelling schedule, Dravid & the think tank decided to speak to the players to check how their physical & mental state of mind. Players who are feeling tired & jaded will be given rest for the test series vs New Zealand.

IND vs NZ Test: Virat Kohli rested for 1st Test, Ajinkya Rahane to lead, Jayant Yadav returns to Test side

India’s Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna