Virat Kohli rested for the first Test as India announce a 16-member squad for New Zealand series

India have announced the squad for the 2-match Test series starting in Kanpur on November 25.

Skipper Virat Kohli has been given rest for the Test against New Zealand and will return to lead the side in the second Test in Mumbai, which will start on December 3.

In Virat’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side. Another notable absentee from the squad is Rohit Sharma, who too has been given a rest. Rohit will be leading the side in the T20I series which precedes the Tests. Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, and Shardul Thakur too have been rested for the Test series.

RCB wicket-keeper batsman KS Bharat, who was impressive during IPL 2021, too is a part of the 16-member squad. While Mohammed Siraj will have a major responsibility in the pace department in absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

India’s Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.