IND vs NZ Test series: Pacer Mayank Yadav finds place for New Zealand Tests

New Delhi: Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah was appointed vice-captain of India for the upcoming three-match home Test series against New Zealand, signaling a potential elevation to a leadership role during the team’s tour of Australia next month. The series against the Kiwis will commence on November 16 in Bengaluru, with the second Test scheduled for October 24 in Pune, followed by the third Test in Mumbai on November 1.

As reported by PTI on October 10, regular captain Rohit Sharma may miss one of the first two Test matches in Australia due to personal reasons.

However, the important fact is that the Australian five-match Test series kicks off on 22 November in Perth and the second match is already scheduled to be played on 6 December in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma might miss out either the first or second game.

This suggests a strategic shift, especially since India did not appoint a vice-captain for the recent home series against Bangladesh, which they won 2-0.

Bumrah has also experienced time in leadership, as he had captained the Indian team over England in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in July of this year and also led India recently against Ireland in T20I away series 2023.

Recently, Bumrah rallied himself to the top of the ICC bowlers’ rankings after an incredible display against Bangladesh. He’s been red-hot in red-ball cricket since returning from his injury last August, with 42 wickets in eight Tests during which time he has averaged 14.69. In total, Bumrah has played in 38 Tests thus far and collected 170 wickets at an average of 20.18 while taking ten five-wicket hauls.

Right-arm pacer Yash Dayal, part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, has been ruled out after injuring his shoulder during Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy match against Bengal in Lucknow on Friday. The estimated time of his recovery cannot be stated, and this scares people who see the tour of Australia ahead.

Aside from Dayal, all players who participated in the recent series against Bangladesh have been retained in the 15-member squad, which will be captained by Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, pacer Mohammed Shami, currently recovering from ankle surgery, was not included as he continues his rehabilitation and awaits his return to international cricket.

middle-order batsman Nitish Kumar Reddy, and pacers Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna have been designated as traveling reserves in the squad, highlighting the importance of these young players in India’s long-term cricketing plans.

Both Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav have made a strong impression in their debut appearances for India during the ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.