New Zealand have announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against India, with Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway returning to the team. The series will begin on November 19 and will be an important challenge for both sides in the World Test Championship cycle.
Ravindra missed the five-match T20I series and the ongoing ODI series after dislocating his shoulder while attempting a catch during a promotional shoot in September. Conway, meanwhile, was ruled out of the ODI leg after suffering a concussion during a training session at Eden Park, following a collision with fast bowler Matt Henry.
Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has also been included in the squad despite recovering from a quadriceps injury. New Zealand have largely retained the group that secured a 2-1 Test series victory against England away from home during the summer.
ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav Admits India Snub Was Difficult To Move On From
However, former captain Kane Williamson and fast bowlers Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears and Zak Foulkes are missing from the squad. Williamson retired midway through the England tour, while Sears and Foulkes are unavailable due to injuries. O’Rourke, meanwhile, has been rested as part of a workload-management programme ahead of New Zealand’s four-Test tour of Australia next month.
Tom Latham and his teammates will be keen to finish the home season on a positive note against India. New Zealand have already lost the T20I series, and their hopes of securing the ODI series were dented on Tuesday after rain forced the third match to be abandoned, with India leading 2-0.
The upcoming Test series offers the hosts another chance to respond strongly. India, meanwhile, will be eager to end their nearly two-decade wait for a Test series victory in New Zealand. Captain Shubman Gill will also understand the importance of the series for India’s World Test Championship campaign.
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Recalls Turning Point In Team India’s Historic T20 World Cup Triumph
New Zealand squad for Test series vs India: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young
