Significant changes have occurred in the Indian squad ahead of the series of friendly matches against New Zealand. The selection committee has included right-arm fast bowler Akib Nabi in the team for the first three matches of the series. Previously, Akib Nabi was included for the fourth and fifth matches of the series.
The squad update was officially published by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Although right-arm fast bowler Akib Nabi was initially selected for the last two matches, he will now play in the first three games.
In the first three matches against New Zealand, the Indian team will be led by Shubman Gill. The team includes experienced players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as well as Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Axar Patel. The pace bowling group now features Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj, Guruveer Barar, and Akib Nabi.
Nitish Kumar Reddy will also be part of the squad for the first match, but according to the BCCI update, he will only be available for the first game.
Akib Nabi's name is also present in the list of players announced for the final two matches of the series. In these games, Shreyas Iyer will captain, and Tilak Verma and Kumar Kushagra will also get the opportunity to play.
Shubman Gill will captain the first three matches, while Shreyas Iyer will take charge of leading the team in the fourth and fifth matches.
The squad for the first three matches includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dihr, Anshul Kamboj, Guruveer Barar, Rituraj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (first match only), and Akib Nabi.
The squad for the fourth and fifth matches is as follows: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Verma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper, vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dihr, Akib Nabi, Guruveer Barar, Rituraj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav.