The Indian national selectors are likely to rest a bunch of first-choice players for the Test series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India recently announced the T20I squad but is yet to announce the Test team.
According to a report in the Times of India, pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur along with wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant are likely to be rested for the Test series. Considering the rigid international calendar and bio-bubble fatigue, the selectors have taken this decision.
The BCCI has also rested multi-format players, such as the likes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja for the T20I series. Virat Kohli, who stepped down as the T20 skipper has also been given a reprieve, from the T20 series. He is likely to be rested for the first test.
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.
Toss up between Ajinkya Rahane-Rohit Sharma for test captaincy
With Virat Kohli likely to be rested for the first Test match against New Zealand, the captaincy question is at the forefront. Virat Kohli will join the team for the second Test match in Mumbai.
As per the report in TOI, the Indian selectors and the newly appointed head coach, Rahul Dravid are torn between Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma to take up the leadership job. Ajinkya Rahane is the designated vice-captain in the red-ball format.
He led India to a historic test series win in Australia earlier this year. However, Rahane’s inconsistent form has been a cause of concern for India. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has grown in stature across all the formats for India. He was recently appointed as the skipper of the Indian T20 team.
The Indian selectors are likely to announce the Indian Test squad in a couple of days. New Zealand’s tour of India kickstarts with the T20I series on November 17. The Test series will begin on November 25 in Kanpur, followed by the second test in Mumbai on December 3.
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