India will be captained by Rohit Sharma for their T20I encounters with New Zealand, following Virat Kohli's decision to step down from the role after the ICC T20 World Cup. KL Rahul has been designated as the vice-captain. Starting November 17th, India will host the New Zealand side for a series featuring three T20Is and two Test matches.
Rohit Sharma has been named as the captain of team India for the T20I series against New Zealand. Virat Kohli stepped down from T20I captaincy after the ICC T20 World cup campaign. KL Rahul had been named as the Vice-captain for the Indian team. India host New Zealand in a 3-match series that kicks off from 17th November. The blackcaps will play three T20Is and two tests against men in blue.
Rohit Sharma's leadership will be guided by Rahul Dravid, the senior national team's new head coach, who succeeds Ravi Shastri. Dravid, famously called 'The Great Wall,' enters the fold at a time when fans are eager for a dominant 3-0 victory to bounce back from the disappointment of failing to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The team is highly motivated to avenge their previous loss to New Zealand on the world stage.
On Tuesday, the All-India Senior Selection Committee revealed a 16-player squad. To manage workloads, both Virat Kohli and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah have been rested. The team also sees the omission of Hardik Pandya and the return of experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Furthermore, the squad is bolstered by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who earned his spot after a brilliant 2021 IPL season where he claimed the orange cap.
Harshal Patel, the leading wicket-taker from IPL 2021, has been rewarded with a call-up. The squad also introduces fresh faces, with Venkatesh Iyer and Avesh Khan earning their first-ever selections for the national team. While Rohit Sharma will captain the side in the opening Test against New Zealand with Ajinkya Rahane as his deputy, Virat Kohli is expected to rejoin the squad starting from the second Test.