India release spinner for pacer in Test squad to face Kiwis
India have made a change to their squad to face New Zealand in the two-match Test series.
Gurnoor Brar has been added to India’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship series against New Zealand, starting 19 November.
Brar has impressed in the Kiwi conditions in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, leading the wicket-taking chart with nine scalps.
This is a maiden Test call-up for the 26-year-old, who has been a regular feature for India A in recent months and also has an impressive first-class record of 71 wickets in 22 matches.
Kuldeep Yadav, however, has been released from the Test squad after initially being included.
“Kuldeep Yadav will be released from the Test squad in order to play the ongoing domestic cricket back in India,” BCCI said in their release.
Brar’s inclusion means he will link up with the Test squad in Wellington and will miss the final ODI against the Black Caps, which India lead 2-1 going into the fifth match.
In some other good news for India, Rishabh Pant has been declared fit and has joined the Test squad in Wellington.
At the time of the Test squad announcement, Pant’s inclusion was subject to fitness, and after an extensive stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, the wicketkeeper-batter has been declared fit.
India’s updated Test squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar.
It is a crucial series for India, who are currently fourth in the World Test Championship Standings and need to rack up a few wins to remain in contention for a spot in the final.
The two-match Test series commences on 19 November in Wellington before the action heads to Christchurch for the second and final game.
