BCCI Adds Gurnoor Brar To India's Test Squad vs New Zealand; Kuldeep Yadav Released

Gurnoor Brar added to IND Test squad vs NZ [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the BCCI selection committee added Gurnoor Brar to India's Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The selectors also dropped spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav from the Test squad, asking him to participate in the ongoing domestic season. 

Gurnoor Brar has been the most successful bowler in the ongoing ODI series between India and New Zealand. The right-arm fast bowler has bagged nine wickets in just three innings at a healthy strike rate of 19 and a superb economy of 4.88. 

Gurnoor Brar replaces Kuldeep Yadav in India's Test squad vs NZ

On Saturday, November 14, the BCCI confirmed Gurnoor Brar's entry into India's Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand. Veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav made way for the fast bowler, with the India deciding to strengthen their fast bowling stocks to capitalise on the seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand. 

Gurnoor is the latest addition to India's seven-member pace attack, which also comprises Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Anshul Kamboj and Akash Deep, alongside seam-bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. 

Talking about India's spin attack, it will be spearheaded by the experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar following Kuldeep Yadav's withdrawal from the Test squad. 

Gurnoor Brar unavailable for 5th ODI between India and New Zealand

Gurnoor Brar will link up with the members of the Indian Test side to prepare for the first match of the series, starting November 19. So, he won't be available for selection for the fifth and final ODI of the series at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. 

India's updated Test squad vs New Zealand: Shubman Gill [C], Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul [VC], Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar

India's updated squad for 5th ODI vs New Zealand: Shreyas Iyer [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

More to follow....