The Indian cricket team squad for the upcoming 2 match Test series against New Zealand was announced yesterday, with big boys given rest, Shreyas Iyer was picked into the squad, which led to many questioning the reason behind selecting Shreyas Iyer.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian cricket team’s Test squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. A separate T20 team was named few days back for the T20I series against New Zealand, that is to be played before Test matches.
The Test squad, just like the T20 squad, sees many top players being rested after being part of the bio-bubble from June to November. While Virat Kohli has been given rest for the 1st Test and will report for the 2nd Test, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami are other key players who have been given complete rest.
ICYMI: Here’s India’s squad for the 2⃣-match #INDvNZ Test series 🔽#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/gQcaKa1YWS
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2021
In Virat Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane will captain the Indian Test team in the 1st Test match, while Virat Kohli will take over from the 2nd Test in Mumbai.
The squad sees an important player of Indian Test Team setup, Hanuma Vihari has been dropped for the New Zealand series, whereas, Shreyas Iyer has been called up to represent the team.
Fans in Twitter went crazy as to why Vihari was not selected, but later the BCCI announced that Hanuma Vihari has been added to India ‘A’ squad for the South Africa series. Many fans also questioned the selection of Shreyas Iyer, who has before the New Zealand series, has never played Test cricket for India.
According to a source stating to CricTracker, Shreyas Iyer has been called-up to the Indian team so that he can be groomed as a long term replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Pujara and Rahane stats
Cheteshwar Pujara has been an integral member of the Indian Test team ever since making his debut. Pujara has played 90 Test matches for India and has scored 6494 runs. On ther other hand, Ajinkya Rahane has failed to maintain consistency. The Mumbai lad has played 78 Test matches and has managed 4756 runs. Both aged 33-year-old.
Shreyas Iyer stats
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer has been mainstay for the Indian cricket team in limited overs cricket playing at number 4 position. Shreyas Iyer has played 22 and 29 ODI and T20I matches respectively has scored 813 and 550 runs respectively.
India vs New Zealand Series
Team India begins their home series against New Zealand from the 17th November with the 1st T20I, followed by the remaining 2 on the 19th and 21st November. The Test matches will be played from 25th November, with the first Test from 25th till 29th November and the 2nd Test from 3rd till 7th December.
