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India’s New Zealand Tour: What ODI and Test squad selections reveal about Gautam Gambhir’s plans

India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand will serve as a critical test of the team’s depth and adaptability, with a rigorous schedule spanning five T20Is, five ODIs, two Tests, and three multi-day ‘A’ matches. The tour kicks off on October 22 in Christchurch with the T20I series, followed by the ‘A’ games starting two days later in Lincoln.

A total of 42 players will feature across the series, with several selected for multiple formats, reflecting the selectors’ focus on balancing experience and rotation. The squads, announced under interim chief Pragyan Ojha’s leadership, retain core players while introducing key changes, including the recall of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the T20I side after a four-year absence.

Varun Chakaravarthy’s return from injury has also reshaped the bowling lineup, replacing Ravi Bishnoi. The ODI squad is notably split, with four players—Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Auqib Nabi, and Yash Thakur—replacing first-choice players for the final two matches, while Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain.

Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion from the ODI squads signals a red-ball focus, as he joins the Test squad after participating in all three ‘A’ matches. The Test series begins on November 19 in Wellington, with players like Shubman Gill and K.L.

Rahul facing a nine-day gap between the ODI and Test commitments.

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