The first Test of the series will be played in Wellington from November 19.
India’s Test series in New Zealand will begin with the first game in Wellington on November 19 and the second Test in Christchurch on November 27. This Test series is very important for India in terms of qualification for the WTC 2027 final.
BCCI selectors had recently named the India squad for the New Zealand Tests, and now Cheteshwar Pujara has revealed his choice of the Indian XI for the first Test in Wellington.
Surprisingly, spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar was left off Pujara's list, as he included two wicketkeeper-batters. Pujara also excluded Akash Deep and Sai Sudharsan from his XI in addition to Sundar.
In Pujara's India XI, Devdutt Padikkal was slotted at the no. 3 spot, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were the two openers.
Shubman Gill was placed at no. 4 by Pujara, and he named both keepers, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, ranked No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Ravindra Jadeja was chosen over Washington Sundar, while Nitish Kumar Reddy followed next.
Out of the five specialist fast bowlers picked by India for the Tests, Pujara opted for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna in his XI. The other players who failed to find a place in Pujara’s XI are Kuldeep Yadav and Anshul Kamboj.
Check here:
Cheteshwar Pujara’s India XI for the first Test v New Zealand:
KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna