Former India opener Abhinav Mukund predicted that India would field three specialist pacers and three all-rounders in their playing XI for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting Thursday, November 19.
Speaking on Cricinfo, Mukund suggested that Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy could all feature in India’s Test XI for the series while three other specialist pacers will complete the bowling attack.
“In terms of the all-rounders, I think both will play – Jadeja and Sundar. It’s the question of India thinking of playing Reddy or no. Because they have an option of just playing Jadeja and Washington and an extra batter. But I have a feeling India will think of playing Reddy because of the success he had at the MCG and the fact that he can give you a few overs with the ball in case the faster bowlers get tired,” Mukund said.
“And as far as I see it, India will still go with three pacers plus Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jadeja and Washi,” Mukund added.
The BCCI selection committee recently announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Akash Deep, who last featured in a Test during India’s tour of England in 2025, has earned a recall, while Sai Sudharsan has also returned to the squad after missing the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who sustained a side strain during the Irani Cup, has been included in the squad, although his availability for the playing XI remains subject to fitness clearance.
India’s Test squad vs New Zealand: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk)*, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
(* Subject to fitness clearance)
