Rohit Sharma To Lead Team, Dayal Opted Out As India Announces Squad For Three Tests Against New Zealand

October 12, 2024: India has announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16, 2024, in Bengaluru.

The squad is largely similar to the one that defeated Bangladesh 2-0 earlier this year. However, it has been reduced from 16 to 15 players, with left-arm pacer Yash Dayal being left out. Dayal, who was part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, was released ahead of the second Test and has not been included for the New Zealand series.

Jasprit Bumrah has been named as the vice-captain, taking up the role that was left vacant during the Bangladesh series. Bumrah’s leadership appointment is notable given his previous experience captaining India in limited instances. Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side.

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has not been included as he continues to recover from an ankle injury that required surgery, extending his absence from competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup. In his place, several young fast bowlers have been included as reserves, including Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna.

New Zealand, under new captain Tom Latham, will face India after a difficult Asian tour, including a 2-0 Test series loss to Sri Lanka. India, on the other hand, is riding high on a dominant home record, having not lost a Test series at home since 2012.