Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian ODI and Test squads for the upcoming high-profile tour of New Zealand. The extensive tour, scheduled to take place throughout November, will feature a five-match One Day International (ODI) series followed by a crucial two-match Test series.
In a strategic move regarding leadership, the national selection committee has opted to split the captaincy duties for the demanding ODI series. Star opening batsman Shubman Gill has been appointed to lead the Men in Blue for the first three ODIs, with middle-order anchor Shreyas Iyer serving as his deputy. For the fourth and fifth ODIs, Iyer will take over the captaincy reins. Marking a significant return to a leadership role, dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has been officially named the vice-captain for the final two 50-over encounters.
The squad announcement also brings a major career milestone for 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Kushagra. The young talent has received his maiden call-up to the senior national team and will join the squad for the final two limited-overs matches. In the longest format of the game, Shubman Gill has been entrusted with the Test captaincy, while experienced campaigner KL Rahul will assume the responsibilities of the vice-captain.
Addressing injury concerns, the selection committee has included match-winning wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna in the touring party. However, the BCCI explicitly clarified in its statement that their final participation remains strictly subject to passing fitness clearances. The ODI squads also feature an exciting mix of youth and experience, with players like Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and pace prospect Yash Thakur earning their spots alongside senior players.
The much-anticipated New Zealand tour is set to commence with the white-ball leg on November 4 in Auckland, traversing through Wellington and Hamilton, before concluding the ODI series on November 15 in Mount Maunganui. The subsequent red-ball challenge will kick off at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19, with the final Test scheduled at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch starting November 27.