Jaipur: Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) Secretary Mahendra Sharma announced on Tuesday that fans with at least one dose of covid vaccine will be allowed for the first T20 International match between India and New Zealand at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on November 17th. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a 16-man squad for the home T20I series against New Zealand on Tuesday. For the three-match T20I series, Rohit Sharma has been selected captain, with KL Rahul as his deputy. Virat Kohli has been rested after stepping down as T20I captain following India’s early departure from the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma will team up with Rahul Dravid, who will take over as head coach after the New Zealand series. Despite their dismal performance in the T20 World Cup in the UAE, India has not made any significant changes to their T20I roster.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, as well as leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, are not included in the T20I squad. Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shreyas Iyer have all returned to the show. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal, whose withdrawal from the T20 World Cup selection was a source of controversy, has been re-inducted into the squad for the New Zealand series. He was chosen over Rahul Chahar, who had barely played one match. R Ashwin, the off-spinner, has been retained following his strong achievements in the T20I side after a four-year absence at the T20 World Cup.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar keeps his position in the side, while Mohammed Siraj, the paceman, makes his T20I comeback for the first time since March 2018. After a strong showing for Delhi Capitals in the second half of the IPL 2021, Shreyas Iyer, who was part of the reserve unit during the T20 World Cup, returns to the squad. Deepak Chahar, who was also left out of India’s World Cup roster, has been re-inducted into the team. As Rahul Dravid’s squad appears to be a decent combination of youth and experience, Avesh Khan, who frightened opposition batsmen with pace for Delhi Capitals, has also been called up to India.