Former Indian opening batter Abhinav Mukund predicted India to play three pacers and as many all-rounders in their XI in the forthcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will commence on November 19.
Speaking during a discussion on Cricinfo, Mukund asserted that three all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, would feature in India’s Test playing XI against New Zealand.
“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.
Recently, the BCCI selection committee named a 16-man strong Test squad for the New Zealand tour. Akash Deep, who last played a Test in England in 2025, has been recalled while Sai Sudharsan, who missed the two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka, has also returned.
Rishabh Pant, who suffered a side strain in the Irani Cup, has also been included, but his inclusion in the XI is 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)
