Cheteshwar Pujara Picks India's XI For First New Zealand Test, Makes Big No. 3 Call

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has picked his playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 in Wellington. India will play two crucial ICC World Test Championship (WTC) matches against New Zealand, with the first scheduled in Wellington from November 19 and the second in Christchurch from November 27. According to a video posted by Cricinfo, Pujara has retained the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while backing Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 following his impressive performances in Sri Lanka, where he scored two centuries.

Captain Shubman Gill occupies his usual No. 4 spot, followed by wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively.

Ravindra Jadeja is Pujara's sole frontline spin option at No. 7, while pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy slots in at No. 8.

The pace attack comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

Cheteshwar Pujara's Playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand (via Cricinfo):
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

India's batting options in the squad also include Sai Sudharsan, while Pant and Jurel provide wicketkeeping depth. Pant's participation remains subject to fitness clearance.

In the bowling department, India have included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj to bolster the pace attack.

The squad also features all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, along with spinner Kuldeep Yadav, giving India a balanced mix of pace, spin and all-round options.

India Test Squad: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK)*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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