India’s cricket team is set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting October 16, 2024, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad that largely mirrors the one that triumphed over Bangladesh in September.
Mohammed Shami to Miss NZ Tests
Mohammed Shami will miss the series as he continues to recover from an ankle injury that required surgery. His last competitive match was during the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. The Indian management had hoped he would regain full fitness during the ongoing home season, but that timeline has been pushed back.
In contrast, Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed vice-captain for this series. With Rohit Sharma’s availability for the upcoming Test series against Australia in doubt, Bumrah’s leadership role becomes even more crucial. He has previously served as vice-captain and has even captained the team in a one-off Test in England when Rohit was sidelined due to COVID-19.
Team India Squad for New Zealand Test Series 2024:Â
The squad includes:
Travelling Reserves:
- Harshit Rana
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Mayank Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
The selection committee has retained this squad after India’s successful 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, where Bumrah emerged as a standout performer.
World Test Championship Implications for India
India currently leads the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with a percentage of 74.24 from 11 matches. A strong performance against New Zealand could solidify their position ahead of a challenging five-Test series against Australia starting November 22 in Perth. Winning all remaining matches would elevate India’s percentage to approximately 85.09%, ensuring a strong chance at qualifying for the WTC final.
New Zealand enters this series with its own challenges, notably the injury of captain Kane Williamson, who is dealing with a groin issue. The Blackcaps currently sit sixth on the WTC table with a percentage of 37.50, making this series critical for both teams.
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