India vs New Zealand Series: Rohit Sharma to be rested from Test series, Ajinkya Rahane to lead in Kohli’s absence

IND vs NZ Test Series: Ajinkya Rahane to lead in Kohli’s absence – The BCCI selectors decided against announcing the Test squad after naming the T20I squad. The only reason for that was the indecision on who will lead India in the 1st Test. But now, the doubt has been cleared and Ajinkya Rahane has been named the captain in Virat Kohli’s absence. The Test skipper is on extended break and might skip the entire Test series. Follow INDIA vs New Zealand Series LIVE Updates on InsideSport.in

However, after deliberation, the selectors have decided that to manage Rohit Sharma’s workload, it is best to rest him for the entire Test series. In Virat Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane will lead in the first Test and if the regular skipper is not back, the Mumbaikar will be the captain of the whole series.   

India vs New Zealand Series: Rohit Sharma to be rested from Test series, Ajinkya Rahane to lead in Kohli’s absence

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IND vs NZ Series: Rahane to lead – The issue stems from the fact that Rahane after leading India to historic victory in Australia has been completely off-color. Post the test in Melbourne, his batting fortunes have completely dwindled. His place in the XI has become questionable.

Selectors are keen to have new coach Rahul Dravid’s viewpoint on the choice of captain for the series. His viewpoint is likely to be the decisive factor in choice of captain for the series.

According to the available information – test squad for the series will be picked on Friday & instead of Rahane – Rohit can be asked to lead in absence of Virat Kohli.

India vs New Zealand Series: Rohit Sharma to be rested from Test series, Ajinkya Rahane to lead in Kohli’s absence

Since Melbourne Test in Dec 2020

• Ajinkya Rahane – 11 Tests / 372 Runs / 19.57 Average / 0 Hundred
• Rohit Sharma – 11 Tests / 906 Runs / 48 Average / 2 Hundreds

As BCCI is keen to give players some respite after gruelling last 6 months, selectors will also reach out to regular test captain Virat Kohli. The record breaking Indian captain will be requested to restrict his break till first test.

India vs New Zealand Series: Rohit Sharma to be rested from Test series, Ajinkya Rahane to lead in Kohli’s absence

If Kohli agrees to comeback in Mumbai Test (2nd Test of the series), Rohit Sharma can be given rest for the 2nd match – so that he stays fresh for the tour to South Africa.

Which other players are likely to rest for 2 Test Series vs New Zealand? The BCCI sources have informed InsideSport that the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami & Shardul Thakur will be rested for the series along with Wicket-Keeper batsman Rishabh Pant.

All these players are continuously on move and are non-stop staying in a bio-bubble. Selectors are likely to give them a break and will bring in completely new-look pace attack for the NZ Test Series.

Who can replace Rishabh Pant? It is understood that the selectors are keen to persist with Wriddhiman Saha. Other than this going forward, Indian think-tank & selectors are keen to groom Andhra Pradesh KS Bharat as second choice ’wicket-keeper’ going forward.

BCCI allowing players to go home before IND VS NZ Series

• Meanwhile BCCI has allowed players coming in from T20 World Cup to go home and reassemble in Jaipur on 14th November. The first match of the series will be played on 17th Nov.
• Players will only have to do three-day quarantine.
• After series vs New Zealand, India will tour South Africa for long two month tour in December & January. India will play the West Indies & Sri Lanka at home afte

India’s T20I squad vs NZ Series: Meanwhile Selectors earlier on Tuesday have already announced India’s T20 Squad for 3 match series against the Kiwis.

Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj