Team announced before IND vs NZ Test series, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant did not get a place

Vilas Dhadke
9 Min Read
IND vs NZ
The first match of the series between the two teams will be played from October 16.
Source: X/ Twitter

IND vs NZ: After winning the Test series against Bangladesh, now Team India’s next mission is against the Kiwi team. India now has to host New Zealand. The first match of the series between the two teams will be played from October 16. India’s team has not been announced for this match yet.

But a big update has come regarding the first team, according to which Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been dropped from the team. The information about the exclusion of both of them came after the announcement of the team. Let us tell you what is the matter

Virat and Pant did not get a place in the team before the IND vs NZ series 

Actually, on one hand, the match between India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) will be played from October 16. Before that, the country’s biggest domestic tournament Ranji Trophy will start. This edition of Ranji Trophy will start from October 11. Delhi team has announced an 18-member team for this domestic season.

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) selectors met at the Arun Jaitley Stadium where the selectors finalised the squad for the first 2 matches of the upcoming season. During this time, the responsibility of Delhi has been handed over to Himmat Singh. He last played a competitive first-class match during the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy during which he scored only 411 runs in 12 innings.

Did not get a chance in Delhi team

After the announcement of Delhi’s team for Ranji Trophy, the most shocking thing was the exclusion of Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, who were earlier named in the probable players of Delhi Ranji team. It was expected that Pant and Kohli would get a chance. But this did not happen.

Let us tell you that Kohli last played for Delhi in the 2012-2013 Ranji Trophy season, while Pant has also been away from domestic cricket for a long time. Certainly, the reason for not giving a chance to these two players is the India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) Test series, the first match of which is on October 16.

Delhi’s first match is on October 11

Delhi’s first match in Ranji Trophy is against Chhattisgarh on 11 October. In such a situation, Virat and Pant’s workload did not increase much, so they were not given a chance. Talking about Delhi, in the last domestic season, the team missed out on a place in the quarter-finals due to finishing third in Group D. In this tournament starting on 11 October, their goal will be to perform even better, in which the minimum goal will be to qualify for the knockout stages.

Delhi team for the first two Ranji Trophy matches 

Himmat Singh (captain), Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat, Sanat Sangwan, Dhruv Kaushik, Yash Dhull, Jonty Sidhu, Mayank Rawat, Kshitij Sharma, Pranav Rajuvanshi, Sumit Mathur, Navdeep Saini, Himanshu Chauhan, Simarjeet Singh*/Divij Mehra, Hrithik Shaukeen, Harsh Tyagi, Mani Grewal and Shivank Vashi

As India gears up for an exciting Test series against New Zealand, the announcement of the squad has brought some surprises. In a bold move, the Indian selectors have left out two prominent names: Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. While the decision has raised eyebrows, it also signals a fresh approach as India looks to prepare for future challenges, including grooming young talent. Here’s a look at the team announcement and what it means for India’s upcoming Test series.

The Big Absentees: Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant

Virat Kohli, one of India’s finest Test batsmen and a former captain, has been a key figure in the team’s success over the years. His omission from the squad has sparked debates, as fans and experts wonder about the reasoning behind the decision. While there has been no official statement, it is believed that Kohli has been rested to manage his workload, given his extensive commitments in all formats of the game.

Rishabh Pant, India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, is also missing from the squad. Pant has been recovering from a long-term injury following a car accident and is still not 100% match-fit. Although he has made significant progress in his recovery, the team management has decided to give him more time before returning to the Test fold.

Opportunities for Young Players

With some key names missing, this series offers a platform for younger players to shine. KS Bharat, in particular, will be under the spotlight as he takes over wicketkeeping duties in the absence of Pant. Shubman Gill, who has been in sparkling form, will also look to capitalize on his opportunities and establish himself as a reliable option at the top.

New Zealand: A Formidable Opponent

Facing New Zealand is never an easy task. Known for their disciplined bowling attack and solid batting lineup, the Black Caps have always given India a tough fight in Test cricket. Players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, and Tom Latham will pose a significant challenge for India, making this series a must-watch.

What to Expect from the Series

Even without Kohli and Pant, India enters the series as favorites, particularly on home soil. The series will test India’s depth and resilience, while New Zealand will aim to exploit the gaps left by the absence of two of India’s key players. The pitches are expected to assist spin, which means India’s spin trio of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Axar Patel could play a decisive role.

The spotlight will be on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, as he navigates the challenges of leading a team with a few new faces and maintaining India’s dominance in Test cricket.

Conclusion

The upcoming Test series against New Zealand is set to be an intriguing contest. While the absence of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant might seem like a setback, it also presents an opportunity for others to step up and make their mark. With a strong squad and home advantage, India will be aiming to continue their excellent Test form and take the series. Fans can expect intense battles, thrilling moments, and the rise of new stars in this highly anticipated series.

Let the action begin!

Gadgets I use

Camera:

Canon EOS Link: https://amzn.to/44kihMS

Pinter:

HP Link: https://amzn.to/3JTXUib

Camera stands: Jaerb and Innorel

https://amzn.to/46pQkVS

https://amzn.to/46ok1GT

Mouse:

Lenovo: https://amzn.to/3XotDNE

Apple: https://amzn.to/3NM95eO

Lights: Godox

Link: https://amzn.to/3NKV1m2

Laptops: HP: https://amzn.to/46oCLpW

Macbook: https://amzn.to/42SZQOo

iPad: https://amzn.to/46qG93l

CPU: https://amzn.to/3CKg95u

Softlight: https://amzn.to/3NuaQfg

Phone: https://amzn.to/3r1ti7I

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *