BCCI has announced the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand which will be played after the three-match T20I series. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the first Test and Virat Kohli will return into the squad to lead the side in the second. He has been rested for the T20I series and the first Test.

India will host New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests, starting on November 17. The series will kick off with the three T20Is to be played in Jaipur (November 17), Ranchi (November 19) and Kolkata (November 21).

The first Test will be played in Kanpur (November 25-29) while Mumbai will host the second Test (December 3-7). The series will also be Rahul Dravid’s first assignment as Team India Coach and the start of the Rahul-Rohit Era in the T20Is. Dravid will work with Kohli in tandem in red-ball cricket. Ravi Shastri spoke about Dravid inheriting a brilliant team going forward and one which can attain even more success going forward.

Rohit Sharma Rested For Test Matches Against New Zealand

There were reports of Rohit Sharma lead the first Test in the absence of Kohli, but now that has been put to rest with BCCI announcing Ajinkya Rahane as the skipper for the first Test. ohit Sharma has been rested for the two Tests.

Wriddhiman Saha and KS Bharat have been added into the squad as the two specialist keepers. Rishabh Pant have been rested for the two-Test matches along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. R

#TeamIndia squad for NZ Tests:

A Rahane (C), C Pujara (VC), KL Rahul, M Agarwal, S Gill, S Iyer, W Saha (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Patel, J Yadav, I Sharma, U Yadav, Md Siraj, P Krishna

*Virat Kohli will join the squad for the 2nd Test and will lead the team. pic.twitter.com/FqU7xdHpjQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2021

Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for the pace attack with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the specialist spinners.

The Indian players have been part of the bio-bubble since the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June. This break will provide the players with much-needed relief from the hectic schedule.

Rahane who earlier led India to Test series victory in Australia is back again to lead the side putting all speculations and rumours to rest.

India Test Squad For NZ Test series

A Rahane (C), C Pujara (VC), KL Rahul, M Agarwal, S Gill, S Iyer, W Saha (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Patel, J Yadav, I Sharma, U Yadav, Md Siraj, P Krishna

*Virat Kohli To Be Back As Captain In 2nd Test

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