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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 cycle. The series, beginning on October 16, 2024, in Bengaluru, will be crucial for India’s hopes of advancing to the WTC final. The other two Tests are scheduled in Pune and Mumbai, providing a thrilling showdown between two strong cricketing nations.
India has maintained a largely unchanged squad from their previous series against Bangladesh, reflecting the consistency and faith the selectors have in this group. Rohit Sharma, the experienced opener, will continue to captain the side, while Jasprit Bumrah has been named vice-captain, a significant acknowledgment of his leadership abilities on and off the field.
Batting Unit
India’s batting lineup remains formidable, headlined by the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. Jaiswal, the young talent, has had a solid start to his international Test career and will look to further cement his place. Gill, an established opener, continues to shine with his technique and adaptability across formats, making him a key player at the top of the order.
Virat Kohli, the veteran of India’s middle order, brings unmatched experience and skill to the squad. His recent form across formats has reassured fans of his consistency. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, another senior figure, adds depth to the batting order and provides flexibility as a backup wicket-keeper.
Sarfaraz Khan retains his place in the squad, and all eyes will be on him as he looks to replicate his prolific domestic form on the international stage. His aggressive style of play, combined with his ability to build long innings, makes him an exciting player to watch.
Wicketkeeping Options
Rishabh Pant continues to be India’s primary wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with Dhruv Jurel, a promising talent, included as a backup option. Jurel’s recent performances at the domestic level have earned him the spot, and he will be eager to learn and gain experience at this level. Pant’s explosive batting combined with his wicketkeeping skills make him indispensable in India’s Test lineup.
Spin Department
India’s spin department remains one of the most potent in world cricket, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav forming a strong contingent. Ashwin, a seasoned campaigner, recently lost his spot as the top-ranked ICC Test bowler to Bumrah, but remains a key part of India’s strategy, especially on subcontinent pitches. Jadeja, another all-rounder, brings balance to the team with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav offer variety in spin, with Patel being effective with his accuracy and control, while Kuldeep’s wrist-spin can trouble even the best batsmen, particularly in the middle overs.
Pace Attack
Jasprit Bumrah, the newly appointed vice-captain, will lead the fast bowling unit. Since his return from back surgery in 2023, Bumrah has been in phenomenal form, recently reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings. His ability to bowl with pace and accuracy, combined with his leadership on the field, has been instrumental in India’s recent successes.
Supporting Bumrah will be Mohammed Siraj, who has emerged as one of India’s most consistent bowlers in the Test arena. Siraj’s ability to extract bounce and movement, especially on helpful pitches, makes him a crucial component of India’s pace attack. Akash Deep, a relatively new face in the squad, offers additional firepower with his raw pace and skill.
Traveling Reserves
India’s selection panel also named four traveling reserves: Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. These players will serve as backups in case of injuries or unexpected changes. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, both fast bowlers, have shown great promise in the domestic circuit and will benefit from the exposure of being part of the Test setup.
India’s Outlook for the Series
With three crucial matches on home soil, India will be eager to dominate the series and strengthen their chances of making it to the WTC final. The series against New Zealand will not only be a test of India’s depth but also an opportunity to further solidify the team’s core as they gear up for an important season of Test cricket, including a highly anticipated series against Australia later this year.