New Delhi, Oct 6:
Fast bowler Akash Deep is set for a Test recall as the Indian selectors prepare to pick three squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, beginning with the T20I series on October 22.
The 29-year-old pacer, who was sidelined for seven months due to a lower-back stress injury, made a successful return to domestic cricket in the Irani Cup. He took six wickets for 68 runs across two innings while bowling nearly 24 overs.
A BCCI official said the team management had advised the Rest of India coaching staff to handle Akash carefully as he is expected to make his national comeback in the New Zealand series. He is currently bowling at an average speed of 138-140 kmph, indicating that he has recovered well.
The four-member selection committee headed by Pragyan Ojha is expected to meet on Tuesday or Wednesday. It will also pick the India A squad for a shadow tour of New Zealand, where the team will play three unofficial Tests as preparation for the two World Test Championship matches beginning November 19.
India will also play five ODIs on the tour as part of preparations for next year’s 50-over World Cup. While the T20I squad is expected to be relatively straightforward, the selectors face a tougher task in finalising the ODI and Test squads because the last ODI in Tauranga on November 15 will be followed by the first Test in Wellington on November 19.
With only a four-day gap between the two matches, including a day for travel, the Indian team will have roughly three days to prepare for the Test. At least seven or eight players are likely to feature in both formats, including captain Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are also expected to be considered, subject to their fitness. The India A matches, scheduled from October 24 to November 10, overlap with the first three ODIs on November 4, 7 and 10. This could force some players to miss the A Tests and instead feature in the ODIs.
Test specialists and players who are likely to play only one format, including first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, second-choice keeper Dhruv Jurel, No. 3 batter Devdutt Padikkal and reserve opener Sai Sudharsan, are expected to feature in at least one of the India A Tests to prepare for the New Zealand series.
Iyer likely to lead in final two ODIs
There is also a possibility that Gill and some Test regulars could be rested for the last two ODIs to begin their Test preparations. If Gill opts out of those matches, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to lead the Indian side.
The Test squad could comprise 16 or 17 players, with the selectors considering an additional fast bowler. Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh, Brar and Akash Deep are currently in contention.
If a sixth pacer is selected, the choice could be among Auqib Nabi, Mukesh Kumar and Anshul Kamboj. All three are also in line for places in the India A squad.
The selectors are considering a larger squad because travelling to New Zealand at short notice to bring in replacements would not be easy. The BCCI has already prepared visas for 60 leading Indian cricketers, keeping in mind the T20Is, ODIs, Tests and the three India A unofficial red-ball matches.