New Delhi, Oct 17:
Fast bowlers Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj have returned to India’s squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will feature only in the red-ball leg of the multi-format tour as the team management seeks to manage his workload.
The selections reflect India’s preparations for a demanding international schedule, with the team scheduled to play five Tests against Australia at home early next year. Bumrah’s workload is being monitored carefully following his recovery from a knee injury that ruled him out of India’s previous Test assignment in Sri Lanka in August.
Bumrah subsequently returned to action in T20 cricket and was part of India’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games in Japan earlier this month. He is expected to report to the Centre of Excellence as the focus shifts towards building his workload for the longest format.
Akash Deep’s return is another important development for the Indian pace attack. The right-arm fast bowler had been sidelined for seven months with a lower-back stress fracture. He recently returned to competitive cricket and impressed in the Irani Cup, where he took six wickets for 68 runs across two innings.
The 29-year-old last represented India during the 2025 tour of England, where he delivered impressive performances. The team management is backing him to make a successful return, particularly given the demands of playing in New Zealand conditions.
Anshul Kamboj has also earned another opportunity after being dropped following his Test debut in Manchester during the England tour last year. Both fast bowlers are part of the India A squad that will play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A ahead of the senior team’s Test series.
Gurnoor Brar, who has impressed recently, has not made the Test squad. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been included subject to fitness clearance as he continues recovering from a left rib injury.