An injured Rohit Sharma helped Prithvi Shaw made his way to the Test squad after a long time. On the other hand, Mayank Agarwal was named Rohit’s replacement in the ODI series.
The Indian Test squad analysis
Due to a calf strain that Rohit Sharma picked up in the 17th over of the Indian innings in the final T20I against New Zealand, he was ruled out of the remaining of the New Zealand tour. For the injury, he could not take the field for which KL Rahul had to act as the second interim captain. It worked as a boon for Prithvi Shaw who made a comeback to international squad after a long period.
Shaw had played his last Test for India in October 2018. Then he was out of action following injury issues and then a suspension for a doping violation. Now he was named in the 16-member squad for the Test series that would take on New Zealand in this month.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill was included in the squad as well. Thanks to his brilliant showcase as part of India A where he smashed 83 and unbeaten 204 in the first four-day game against New Zealand. Even in case of Shaw, his good form in the limited-overs in the one-day leg of India A could be helpful. Mayank Agarwal would be seen opening with either Gill or Shaw in the Test series starting from February 21 in Wellington.
The Test squad features fit-again Jasprit Bumrah and also Ishant Sharma. But Sharma’s participation will be subject to a fitness clearance and he is currently going through rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy, Bangalore. Kuldeep Yadav failed to make entry to the squad whereas Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were taken as the frontline spinners along with the five pacers.
India’s Test Squad for New Zealand series
Virat Kohli (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma (subject to fitness clearance).
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