For the forthcoming three-match Test series against India as part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle, New Zealand Cricket has released their squad. The series will kick off at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 16.
Due to a groin issue, the visitors have suffered a serious setback as their best batsman, Kane Williamson, will postpone his trip to India. Williamson needs time to heal before he can return to the team after feeling discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Mark Chapman, an uncapped hitter, has been called up to the squad to provide cover in the interim. Tom Latham will command the team as a full-time Test captain for the first time throughout the series. Tim Southee resigned as captain following the team’s most recent 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka, prompting the current shift in leadership.
Hoping that Kane will be available if his recuperation proceeds as planned: Samual Wells
Black Caps selection Sam Wells offered his thoughts on Williamson’s predicament. The selector stated that the action was done to prevent the damage from getting worse. Well is hopeful that the right-hand hitter will recover quickly and play in the later half of the series.
“We’ve been told that resting and recovering now is the best course of action for Kane, rather than running the danger of making the injury worse. We’re optimistic that Kane will be ready for the later portion of the tour if his recuperation proceeds as planned,” he stated, according.
Throughout the series, the team will rotate a bit. For example, all-rounder Michael Bracewell will only be available for the first Test in Bengaluru before having to travel home to give birth to his second child. For the duration of the series, Ish Sodhi will take Bracewell’s place, providing the side with an extra spinning option.
The remaining players are the same as they were in the most recent Test series versus Sri Lanka. After serving as a spin-bowling coach consultant in Sri Lanka, former spinner Rangana Herath will also join the Kiwis in India as a member of the coaching team.
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The team will fly to Pune for the second Test, which begins on October 24, following the first Test in Bengaluru. The second Test match will take place on November 1 at Mumbai’s renowned Wankhede Stadium.
New Zealand squad for three-match Test series vs India:
Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
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