Our Bureau
Mumbai
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced the Test and One-Day International (ODI) squads for India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, with Shubman Gill leading the side in the first three ODIs before Shreyas Iyer takes over for the final two matches. Wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has earned his maiden ODI call-up, while Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj return to the Test squad.
The tour will feature five ODIs and two Test matches following the five-match T20 International series. The selections reflect a combination of experienced players and emerging talent as India prepares for upcoming international assignments.
Gill will captain the ODI side in the opening three matches, with Iyer serving as vice-captain. For the fourth and fifth ODIs, Iyer will lead the team, while Ishan Kishan has been named vice-captain. Veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in both ODI squads, providing experience to the batting line-up.
Kushagra’s inclusion is among the notable developments in the ODI selection. Tilak Varma also features in the squad for the final two matches, while Nitish Kumar Reddy retains his place across the two ODI combinations. The bowling group includes Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav.
In the Test squad, Akash Deep and Kamboj have been included as pace-bowling options. Rishabh Pant has also been named, subject to fitness clearance, while Jasprit Bumrah returns to the red-ball side. Gill will lead the Test team, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.
The ODI series will begin on November 4, followed by the two-Test series starting November 19. The matches will offer India an opportunity to assess its combinations in overseas conditions while providing younger players valuable international exposure.
The squad announcements underline the selectors’ approach of balancing continuity with fresh opportunities as India prepares for a demanding multi-format tour of New Zealand.