Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has named his playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on November 19 in Wellington.
The match is the initial encounter of two ICC World Test Championship fixtures between India and New Zealand, with the second Test set for November 27 in Christchurch. This follows a series of five T20Is and five ODIs commencing from November 22.
According to a video posted by Cricinfo, Pujara has retained the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Devdutt Padikkal is slotted at number three after scoring two centuries in Sri Lanka. Captain Shubman Gill will bat at number four, followed by wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel at five and six respectively.
India’s spin bowling relies solely on Ravindra Jadeja, who will bat at number seven. He will be supported by pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy at number eight. The pace attack will be completed by Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj forming the tail.
Pujara’s playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand consists of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
The batting line-up includes Sai Sudharsan, while wicketkeeping options are provided by Pant and Jurel, with Pant’s participation depending on fitness clearance. The bowling contingent features pacers Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Anshul Kamboj. The squad offers a balance of pace, spin, and all-round skills with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, alongside spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s Test squad for the series is: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)*, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.