After their underwhelming T20 World Cup 2021 campaign, Team India will host New Zealand in three T20Is and two Tests and the series will mark some noteworthy changes in Indian cricket.
With Virat Kohli quitting his position as T20I captain, Rohit Sharma will be named the captain of India's T20 squad while KL Rahul will perform the role of a vice-captain, TOI reported on Tuesday (November 9).
The report further claims that Virat Kohli is likely to take a break during the T20I series and the first Test. He will join the squad ahead of the second Test match in Mumbai.
In Kohli’s absence, Rohit Sharma could also lead the Indian team in the opening Test at Green Park, Kanpur.
"Please do not read much into Virat resting for the initial matches. He'll be back to captain the team from the second Test. The Test team is his and he's done phenomenally well," those tracking developments quoted as saying by TOI.
As per the report, senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami might be given rest for the shortest format. On the other hand, Varun Chakravarthy is likely to make way for Harshal Patel, who has been impressive in the IPL for the last two seasons but failed to make it to the T20 World Cup squad.
Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is expected to regain his place after missing out on the T20 World Cup squad while Deepak Chahar and Rahul Chahar might find themselves part of the squad.
According to TOI, the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel will also have a discussion over Rishant Pant’s continuation as first-choice Test wicket-keeper. If the selectors have a spot in mind for a reserve wicket-keeper, it will be interesting to see whether they go back to experienced Wriddhiman Saha or give an opportunity to youngsters like KS Bharat.
Notably, Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s head coach ended with the T20 World Cup 2021 and Rahul Dravid will take charge of the team from the New Zealand home series, starting November 17.
(With TOI inputs)
