Hanuma Vihari hasn't been picked in the squad for 2-match Test series against New Zealand at home.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series at home against New Zealand on Friday (November 12). Ajinkya Rahane was named captain of the squad for the first Test as Virat Kohli will join the team in the second Test.
While Kohli is rested for only one Test, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Shami will not be a part of the entire Test series. The selectors have added KS Bharat as a wicket-keeping option along with Wriddhiman Saha.
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Among the regular faces in the Test side, Hanuma Vihari was also missing from the squad. Aakash Chopra and Harsha Bhogle questioned his omission from the squad on Twitter and felt the Hyderabad batter deserved a series at home.
As per ESPNCricinfo, Vihari will be heading to South Africa as part of India A squad for three four-day matches starting on November 23. He last played a Test match for India in January against Australia at Sydney.
BCCI has already announced the India A squad and Vihari wasn't initially part of the India A squad, but ESPNCricinfo reported that he has been added to the squad.
The South Africa tour will start from November 23, 2021 in Bloemfontein. India A will play three four-day matches during the tour.