On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-man squad of Team India for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. Virat Kohli’s tenure as the T20 skipper of the Indian cricket team came to an end on Monday with Men in Blue’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2021. India’s star opener Rohit Sharma has been named as India’s new T20I skipper for the upcoming series.
Rohit Sharma, who is one of the most successful skippers in the IPL history, having won five IPL titles while leading the Mumbai Indians (MI), was the favorite to replace Virat Kohli as India’s T20I skipper. The upcoming series against New Zealand, where both the teams will be seen locking their horns in three T20 internationals and two Tests, will be the first assignment of Rohit Sharma as India’s T20I skipper.
Alongwith Rohit Sharma as skipper, India’s sensational batsman KL Rahul has been appointed as vice-captain of the team. The 15-member squad also marks the maiden international call-ups for IPL sensations Venkatesh Iyer and Harshal Patel. The squad also features young pacer Avesh Khan following and Chennai Super Kings’ young gun Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The team also marks the return of Yuzvendra Chahal, who was axed from the T20 World Cup squad of India. However, the 15-member squad of Team India will be without the likes of stars Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya, who have been rested for the T20Is.
India’s T20I squad for New Zealand series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj.
