IND vs NZ: Indian Cricket Team 16-member squad for test series against New Zealand - Predicted

The IND vs NZ three-match test series will begin on 16 October.

After thrashing Bangladesh 2-0 in the two-match test series, the Indian cricket team will host New Zealand for three test matches.

The IND vs NZ three-test series will kick off on October 16 in Bengaluru, with the second and third tests slated for Pune and Mumbai. This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle and is crucial for Rohit Sharma’s team.

India are at the top of the ICC WTC standings with 74.24 PCT. A 3-0 series win here would put their one foot in the WTC final. New Zealand, with PCT of 37.50, have little to no chance of making it to the final.

IND vs NZ: Indian Cricket Team 16-member predicted squad for New Zealand test series

1. Rohit Sharma (C)

The Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, barring any late injury. Although Rohit didn’t manage a big knock against Bangladesh, his 23 (11) in India’s first innings in the Kanpur test set the tone for the record-breaking innings from the hosts.

As a captain, his selection and bowling changes were spot on.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Jaiswal continued his dream start to test cricket. After finishing as the top scorer in the England test series earlier this year, he ended up being the highest scorer in the IND vs BAN test series as well.

He hit three fifties in four innings against Bangladesh and will be expected to do the same as well against the Kiwis later this month.

3. Shubman Gill

In the Chennai test, Gill was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, but recorded a serene century in the second.

He is set to hog the No. 3 spot in the Indian cricket team against New Zealand as well.

4. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, who had missed the entire England test series for personal reasons, had two low scores in Chennai test against Bangladesh, but showed glimpses of returning to form in Kanpur with 47 (35) and 29* (37).

He will be expected to deliver in the same way against New Zealand later this month.

5. Rishabh Pant (wk)

Pant made his comeback to test cricket with a bang, hitting a splendid century in India’s second innings in Chennai against Bangladesh. He didn’t make many mistakes as a wicket-keeper either.

India would be happy with Pant’s strong comeback. Their wicket-keeper conundrum is solved, and now he has set his eyes on New Zealand and then Australia.

6. KL Rahul

The India team management would have breathed a sigh of relief with KL Rahul’s 68 (43) in Kanpur as they had picked him in the playing XI over the in-form Sarfaraz Khan.

Rahul has done well in his new role in the middle-order, which includes a century in Centurion last December, and he would want to register at least one three-figure score against New Zealand before flying to Australia.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja was, as usual, outstanding as an all-rounder in a home test series. He scored 94 runs in two innings in the Bangladesh series and picked up nine wickets at an average of only 15.

He will be expected to deliver against New Zealand as well.

8. R Ashwin

It was another home test series dominated by R Ashwin, who scored a century at his home ground in Chennai and picked up a total of 11 wickets in the Bangladesh series.

Ashwin bagged the Man of the Series award for the 11th time in his test career. The next target for Ashwin is New Zealand and then what is likely going to be his last test tour of Australia.

9. Akash Deep

The Indian cricket team went with three pacers in both tests against Bangladesh, a combination they rarely use at home. The third pacer, Akash Deep, returned with impressive performances as he took five wickets at an average of 20.

With three tests against New Zealand to play, India might want to rotate their pacers and that would mean Akash gets more chances.

10. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah did Jasprit Bumrah things against Bangladesh: he finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps at a terrific average of only 12.81.

Although many would speculate him to get rested for the New Zealand tests before the Australian tour, he should be in the squad, so that he gets more game time ahead of the high-voltage Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

11. Axar Patel

Axar Patel didn’t get to play against Bangladesh, but had done well previously. He adds batting depth to the side and if India go with the traditional three-spinner ploy against New Zealand, Axar could return to the XI.

12. Mohammed Siraj

Siraj didn’t get to bowl much against Bangladesh. He bowled a total of 41.1 overs in four innings, in which he took four wickets. He bowled well with the new ball, but will need more overs under his legs before touring Australia.

13. Kuldeep Yadav

Similar to Axar, Kuldeep didn’t get a chance against Bangladesh as the Indian cricket team picked three pacers. They are expected to return to the three-spinner strategy in at least the Pune test against New Zealand.

If they do, then the Indian cricket team will have to choose between Kuldeep and Axar. Kuldeep had a stellar series against England earlier this year and made a huge difference in the eventual result.

14. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami recently quashed the rumours of him picking up a knee injury at the NCA. He is expected to make his return in the upcoming Ranji Trophy, which starts on October 11.

If he makes an injury-free return in the Ranji Trophy, then we could see Shami return to the Indian cricket team in the second or third test against New Zealand. He could replace Yash Dayal in the squad, despite Yash Dayal doing nothing wrong.

15. Dhruv Jurel (wk)

Dhruv Jurel would be the backup wicket-keeper for Rishabh Pant. Jurel had an impressive debut test series against England, but will have to wait for his next opportunity as Pant is back.

16. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan had a bumper debut series against England earlier this year, in which he hit three fifties in five innings, but was benched against Bangladesh as KL Rahul returned to the playing XI in the middle-order. He is expected to be on the bench in IND vs NZ tests as well.

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