Key Takeaways
- BCCI announced split squads for India’s New Zealand tour starting October 22
- Shubman Gill leads first three ODIs; Shreyas Iyer captains the last two
- Jasprit Bumrah rested for ODIs but returns for the Test series
- Rishabh Pant included in Test squad subject to fitness clearance
- Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur earn maiden ODI call-ups
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced India’s squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, naming split ODI squads with two different captains and recalling Jasprit Bumrah for the Test series.
Shubman Gill will lead India in the first three ODIs of the five-match series beginning November 4, while vice-captain Shreyas Iyer will take charge for the final two matches. Ishan Kishan will serve as Iyer’s deputy in those games.
Shubman Gill will lead India in the first three ODIs of the New Zealand tour. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0)
Bumrah Rested for ODIs, Back for Tests
Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the entire ODI series but returns to lead the bowling attack in the two-match Test series starting November 19. The decision is part of workload management with the World Test Championship final race in mind.
Akash Deep also returns to the Test squad after a lengthy injury layoff, while Anshul Kamboj earned a spot after his recent ODI debut against the West Indies.
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODIs but will spearhead India’s pace attack in the Tests. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0)
Pant’s Inclusion Subject to Fitness
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named in the Test squad subject to fitness clearance after sustaining an injury while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Dhruv Jurel is the other wicketkeeper in the squad.
The tour marks India’s first Test series in New Zealand since 2019 and their first white-ball assignment in the country since 2022.
New Faces Earn Call-Ups
Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra and fast bowler Yash Thakur received maiden ODI call-ups for the last two matches. Tilak Varma and Auqib Nabi were also included in the squad for the final two ODIs.
Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be available for all five ODIs, having retired from Tests and T20Is.
India’s tour of New Zealand includes 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 2 Tests. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Full Tour Schedule
The tour begins with five T20Is from October 22, followed by five ODIs from November 4, and concludes with two Tests from November 19.
Sources: BCCI announcement via Indian Express, Sportstar, NDTV Sports
