India vs New Zealand 2021: India's Test Squad vs New Zealand (Predicted)

India and New Zealand will battle it out in a two-match test series at home after the T20 World cup 2021 gets over and the squad is about to be announced soon. Virat Kohli who has announced that he will step down as the Indian captain in T20Is will be returning as the captain of the Indian team in the longer formats.

The spinners will come into play since the series takes place in India and there will be a lot of moisture as well considering this as the rainy season. India will be heading to South Africa after this series and hence, they would be looking to try out the combinations in this series. Here is India’s Predicted test squad against New Zealand.

India vs New Zealand 2021: India’s Predicted Test Squad vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli (C):

Virat Kohli is likely to captain the side for the tests against New Zealand and he will be missing out for the T20 international series which might give him the much-needed break. Over the years, the right-hander has been a big servant for Indian cricket but has been going through a century drought in the last two years. He will be looking to make sure that he ends his century drought in this series.

Ajinkya Rahane (VC):

KL Rahul:

KL Rahul has made a big comeback in the longer format with some excellent knocks in England and is now expected to be the first choice opener for India ahead of Shubman Gill or Mayank Agarwal. Rahul’s form in India will be crucial to India’s success and he can be a match-winner in any format for India.

Rohit Sharma:

Rohit Sharma is expected to make the Indian squad for the Test series against New Zealand with most probably being rested for the T20 international series. The right-hander has been in great form for India in all the formats and he will be a great asset in the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Shubman Gill:

Shubman Gill will have to make a case for himself again as he had missed the England tour due to injury and in the meantime, KL Rahul has come good at the top of the order. It is harsh on Shubman Gill if he is dropped from the playing XI but he will have to wait for his opportunity. However, he will be added to the squad for the New Zealand series.

Hanuma Vihari:

Hanuma Vihari has been on the bench for a long time now and he has done nothing wrong to be out of the squad for the Test series against New Zealand. He has been seen as a middle-order option at times and can open the batting as well which he has done in the past. He is unlucky to have not got many opportunities in playing XI.

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara has done better in the series against England to keep his place for the New Zealand series however, he will be a valuable addition to the playing XI with his immense experience in the format. The right-hander has a lot of patience and will be key to India’s success in any condition.

Rishabh Pant(WK):

The left-hander Rishabh Pant wasn’t much effective with the bat in the England tour but he will be the first choice wicketkeeper option in all the formats for India. He will be looking to get some big scores under his belt ahead of South Africa and the youngster will be part of the test series against New Zealand.

Wriddhiman Saha (WK):

Wriddhiman Saha will be the backup wicketkeeper option for India in the series against New Zealand and he has to do exceedingly well to make his way into the playing XI. The right-hander last played a Test for India in the 2020 series against Australia and has been waiting for an opportunity in the playing XI.

Ravindra Jadeja:

Ravindra Jadeja is likely to miss out from the Indian squad for the T20 international series eyeing a break and he will be back in the lineup for the New Zealand test series. Jadeja has been brilliant with the bat in the last two years for India across formats and he will be more lethal with the ball in India. He will play the all-rounder role at number seven.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ravichandran Ashwin will be India’s number one spinner for the New Zealand series and he will be key to India’s success in the series against  New Zealand. He can roll away teams in the test format in India generally with his carrom balls and straighter ones being a big variation. He did not play a Test in England and will be eager to be back in the playing XI.

Axar Patel:

Axar Patel has done wonders so far in his debut test series for India and he could be an option for India in turning pitches. He brings the Jadeja kind of variation with the ball as one delivery gets to turn sharply and the other one goes straight. He always brings the LBW and bowled into play and he will be in the squad for the New Zealand series.

Shardul Thakur:

Shardul Thakur is going to be the bowling all-rounder for India in the series against New Zealand but is unlikely to game a game. He did well in the Test series in England with both bat and ball and he becomes an automatic choice in the squad in the SENA countries.

Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav has been fantastic for India whenever he has been presented an opportunity and he has the knack of picking up wickets at regular intervals. He is quite lethal in the Indian conditions and his reverse swing abilities will be up for display in the series against New Zealand. He will be set to retain his place in the squad.

Ishant Sharma:

Ishant Sharma has looked slightly he is wearing out with his pace and the run-up not being at its best. He was benched in the IPL 2021 UAE phase and he will be eager to get back into his rhythm in the series against New Zealand. He is going to play a vital role in the upcoming tour of South Africa after the New Zealand series and should be given enough game time.

Mohammed Siraj:

Mohammed Siraj was one of the game changers in the previous test series in England and he showed his worth in the famous Lord’s win. He faded away in the last two games of the series which might be a slight concern however, is likely to keep his place in the squad for the New Zealand series. He can be more effective in the subcontinent conditions when the ball starts to reverse.

Also Read- India vs New Zealand 2021: India Squad For T20I Series (Predicted)