India is all ready to face New Zealand in the third and final Test of their ongoing series. The series has been tough for the hosts after losing at Bengaluru and Pune, and they will look to get a consolation win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, starting on November 1. Ahead of the last Test, India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar spoke about the probable changes in the playing eleven, which would include the inclusion of young Harshit Rana.

However, Abhishek Nayar cleared that no player will be added for the last match. “No additions to the squad. Every week is critical, every day is critical. We have not been narrow-minded in thinking about the WTC final. We want to focus on this match,” Nayar said in the pre-match press conference, as reported by RevSportz.

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Although Harshit Rana was taken into the squad ahead of the third Test, the nature of the role looks like it is more that of a net bowler. This season, he had initially been part of the New Zealand series reserve team; in fact, Rana has also been scheduled to join the team in Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series.

On his strategy for the Wankhede match, Abhishek Nayar explained that New Zealand has batted pretty well in all the earlier Tests. “Credit to NZ for the way they have played- especially the counter to our spin. Wankhede will be different- the red soil. I believe most of our men understand the conditions well, from local experience. It’s a moment of self-appraisal and fine-tuning the game plan too”, said Nayar.

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Given the red soil at Wankhede and its propensity to offer both pace and bounce, the Indian team will bank on familiarity with those conditions in a bid to close the series on a high note.