BCCI announces teams for NZ and SL series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the teams for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand and the test series against Sri Lanka. The national selection panel, headed by MSK Prasad, has brought-in some new players in the T20 squad, while the tests regulars have been called back into the team. Let us have a look at the teams in detail.
Maiden T20 call for Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj
The selectors have included Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer and Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj in the 16-member squad for the T20 series against New Zealand. Both the youngsters have performed exceptionally well as members of the India 'A' team. Till now, Iyer has scored 1289 runs in his 53 T20 matches, while Siraj has picked up 26 wickets in 20 T20 matches.
The T20 team for NZ series
Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj and Ashish Nehra.
Murali Vijay replaces Abhinav Mukund
Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay has been called back into the test squad for Sri Lanka series, replacing his fellow state player Abhinav Mukund. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav remain the preferred spinners for the tests, while Ajinkya Rahane has been named as the vice-captain for the series. Hardik Pandya is also in the squad after his impressive SL tour.
Test team for SL series
Virat Kohli (C), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Cheteshwar Pujara, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav.
Kohli could be rested for limited overs series against SL?
Chairman of the selection committee, MSK Prasad has hinted that Indian skipper Virat Kohli could be rested after the test series against Sri Lanka, giving him time before the South Africa's tour early next year. Prasad said that the rotational policy is applicable to the players, as well as the captain. Kohli has been a regular member of the team since July 2016.
Ashish Nehra's last match
The first T20 encounter between India and New Zealand on 1st November in New Delhi will be the last match of Ashish Nehra's career. He had earlier announced that he will retire from cricket, including IPL, after playing the T20 match in New Delhi.
