The Indian squad for their last assignment at home of the 2024-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle was announced on Friday (October 11) with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee retaining the same group of players that faced Bangladesh with only one change as Yash Dayal was left out from the side that will face New Zealand.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did announce four travelling reserves which include Prasidh Krishna alongside three players (Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Nitish Reddy) who are yet to make their Test debut for India.

While the New Zealand series is a crucial one for the two-time runners-up to seal their place in the 2025 WTC final, all eyes are on the tour to Australia with India set to play a blockbuster five-match Test series from November 22 as they aim to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) for the fifth time in a row and complete a hat-trick of series victories on Australian soil.

India Set to Change Tactics: India have kept only three pacers in the squad for the New Zealand series indicating that a change of combination in the playing XI is on the cards. While Rohit Sharma chose three pacers in both tests against Bangladesh, this squad indicates that an extra spinner will come into the XI which means a chance for either Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.

Also Read: Kuldeep Yadav In, No Axar Patel Or Sarfaraz Khan! India's Strongest XI For New Zealand Test Series

Jasprit Bumrah Set To Lead In Australia: With reports that Rohit Sharma is set to miss a Test in Australia due to personal reasons, all eyes were on whether India will name a vice-captain for the New Zealand series after no one was officially designated against Bangladesh. However, this time around the selectors have confirmed Bumrah as Rohit's deputy and all but confirmed he will lead the team Down Under if the regular skipper is absent.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Set For Test Debut In Australia: The search for a pace-bowling all-rounder remains a permanent struggle for Indian cricket, and Nitish Kumar Reddy has offered hope after a splendid start to his T20I career. With Hardik Pandya unlikely to make a red-ball comeback, Reddy could be the solution to India's problems otuside Asia. The 21-year-old's inclusion as a travelling reserve shows he is the team's scheme of things for the Test team, and him being fast-tracked for a debut in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is not a far-fetched thought.

Fears Over Mohammed Shami Grow: Mohammed Shami is a vital cog of the Indian team in their hopes of winning in Australia, but his absence from the squad raises the question of whether he will be fit to take the flight Down Under. Shami has not played any competitive cricket since the 2023 World Cup final (19 November) last year and underwent an ankle surgery earlier this year. The veteran pacer has not been named in Bengal's squad for the first two games of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, sparking fears that Inida might play the BGT without the 34-year-old.

Prasidh vs Harshit vs Mayank?: While Yash Dayal might not have made the squad for the New Zealand series, it seemse clear he is the first-choice left-arm pacer and should be on the flight to New Zealand. With Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep guranteed members of the, the presnce of Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav in the travelling reserves indicates that the trio could be in a battle with each if Shami is not fit.

Also Read: Good News For RCB! BCCI Decide Against India Debut For Rs. 5 Crore Star; Sets Stage For Retention With 20% Pay Cut

The Reserve Opener Conundrum: While India named a vice-captain this time around, there is still no backup opener in the squad. It seems unlikely the team will travel to Australia without a reserve top-order batter, and the mystery around that spot remains, especially with Rohit's reported absence from one Test. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan are contenders, but one will have to only wait and see who is the chosen one.

India Squad For New Zealand Series: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep

Travelling Reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna

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