India vs New Zealand Test Series: Squad Announced, Bumrah Promoted to Vice-Captain
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, scheduled from October 16 to November 5, 2024. In a major decision, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been promoted to the role of vice-captain, while Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the team.
BCCI Announces 15-Member Indian Squad
The 3-match Test series will be held across three iconic venues, with the first match taking place in Bangalore, followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai. The Indian squad includes a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents. Alongside captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, star players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja are part of the team. Promising youngsters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will provide fresh energy to the batting lineup.
India Squad for Test Series:
- Rohit Sharma (captain)
- Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Sarfraz Khan
- Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammad Siraj
- Akash Deep
Test Series Schedule and Venue Details
The much-anticipated series will kick off on October 16 with the first Test match at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The second match will be held at Pune’s Gahunje Stadium from October 24 to 28, while the final Test match is scheduled to be played at Mumbai’s historic Wankhede Stadium from November 1 to 5.
India vs New Zealand Test Series Schedule:
- First Test: October 16-20, Bangalore
- Second Test: October 24-28, Pune
- Third Test: November 1-5, Mumbai
New Zealand’s Squad for the Series
New Zealand has already announced its 17-member squad, with Tom Latham taking over as captain after the resignation of Tim Southee, who stepped down following the team’s recent 0-2 loss in the Test series against Sri Lanka. Kane Williamson returns to the squad, strengthening New Zealand’s batting lineup, while key bowlers such as Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi are expected to play crucial roles.
New Zealand Squad:
- Tom Latham (captain)
- Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper)
- Michael Bracewell (first Test)
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Matt Henry
- Darrel Mitchell
- Will O’Rourke
- Ajaz Patel
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Mitchell Santner
- Ben Sears
- Ish Sodhi (for the second and third Tests)
- Tim Southee
- Kane Williamson
- Will Young
Bumrah’s Promotion a Major Boost for Team India
Jasprit Bumrah’s elevation to vice-captain is seen as a reward for his consistent performances and leadership abilities, particularly in the absence of senior players. His role as vice-captain is expected to provide crucial support to Rohit Sharma, particularly during critical moments in the Test matches. The Indian team will be banking on Bumrah’s pace and leadership on the field, especially in this home series.
Pune and Mumbai to Host Key Test Matches
Fans in Pune and Mumbai are eagerly awaiting the Test matches, particularly the clash at Gahunje Stadium in Pune and the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With the strong lineups of both teams, these matches promise to deliver top-notch cricketing action.
As the series draws closer, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are keen to see how India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, will perform against a formidable New Zealand side led by Tom Latham.
