Shreyas Iyer in Line to Lead in ODIs as Akash Deep Eyes Return for New Zealand Tour India's squad announcement for the upcoming New Zealand tour is around the corner, with Akash Deep slated for a Test recall and Shreyas Iyer likely captaining the final ODIs if Shubman Gill rests. A demanding multi-format tour of New Zealand is slated to begin for the Indian cricket team later this month, starting with the T20 series on October 22. National selectors are scheduled to convene on Tuesday or Wednesday to finalise squads across all three formats, juggling tactical combinations alongside critical player workload considerations. Akash Deep Targets Test Recall Following Recovery Fast bowler Akash Deep appears on track to reclaim his place in the Test setup following an extensive layoff. A persistent back issue had kept the pacer sidelined from active cricket for seven months, but a standout six-wicket display during the Irani Cup conclusively answered questions surrounding his match sharpness. Team management alongside board officials have expressed satisfaction with his physical progress. During domestic action, guidance was relayed to the Rest of India coaching setup to monitor his overs prudently, ensuring the fast bowler enters the two-match Test rubber against New Zealand completely fresh and ready for long spells. Shubman Gill Rest May Hand Shreyas Iyer Leadership Duties The bilateral schedule between the ODI and Test segments in New Zealand offers minimal breathing room. The third and final 50-over fixture is scheduled for November 15, leaving an interval of just four days before the opening Test gets underway on November 19. Due to this tight turnaround, vital red-ball specialists including regular skipper Shubman Gill may opt out of the final two ODIs to focus their preparations entirely on the Test matches. Under this workload plan, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer would step in to take charge of the side for those two one-day fixtures. Pace Battery Options and Format Congestion Around seven to eight players currently feature across both the 50-over and Test lineups, complicating selection logistics. In response, selectors are planning an expanded squad of 16 to 17 cricketers for the red-ball leg. The frontline fast-bowling unit is expected to be anchored by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj alongside Akash Deep, with Prasidh Krishna and alternative seam candidates actively being evaluated to bolster reserves. Logistical Arrangements Cover 60 Travel Visas Underlining the massive logistical scale of this bilateral venture, administrative officials have already arranged travel visas for an extensive group of 60 cricketers. This extensive contingent includes players picked for the senior national side as well as members of the India A lineup traveling simultaneously to New Zealand. Official confirmation of the squads across all three formats will follow immediately after the selection panel wraps up its upcoming deliberations. What this means for you Cricket enthusiasts can expect tactical rotation and fresh leadership opportunities during the extensive tour of New Zealand. • For viewers: Workload management will lead to fresh leadership dynamics on the field. Fans will get to watch Shreyas Iyer test his captaincy tactics in the 50-over format. • For fringe players: The announcement of an expanded 16 to 17 member Test squad provides vital opportunities for backup seamers. Impressive domestic form will directly translate into international exposure for bowlers like Akash Deep. • Tour turnaround: With merely four days between the final ODI on November 15 and the first Test on November 19, player rotation becomes essential. This deliberate scheduling choice prevents key Test specialists from burning out ahead of critical fixtures. • India A contingent: Administrative clearance of 60 visas ensures both the primary and 'A' squads travel smoothly. Young bench players will secure valuable foreign tour exposure alongside established senior stars. Why this happened These selection adjustments are driven by a packed schedule in New Zealand and the necessity to manage multi-format workloads. • Scheduling crunch: The final ODI concludes on November 15, while the opening Test commences on November 19. A narrow four-day turnaround makes it physically demanding for core multi-format players to participate without interruption. • Fitness proof by Akash Deep: Having spent seven months recovering from a back problem, the pacer took six wickets in the Irani Cup to display match readiness. That domestic showing prompted selectors to greenlight his red-ball recall. • Captaincy backup: If regular captain Shubman Gill rests for the last two ODIs to prepare for red-ball duties, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer naturally takes the reins. This ensures leadership continuity across the limited-overs series. Questions & Answers 1. When does India's tour of New Zealand begin? The tour kicks off on October 22 with the T20 series. 2. How long was Akash Deep out of competitive cricket? He remained out of action for seven months due to a back injury before targeting a return in the Test squad. 3. In which domestic tournament did Akash Deep prove his fitness? He demonstrated his match readiness by picking up six wickets in the Irani Cup. 4. Which matches might Shreyas Iyer captain? He is slated to lead the team in the final two ODIs if Shubman Gill rests ahead of the Test series. 5. What is the gap between the final ODI and the opening Test match? The final ODI takes place on November 15 and the first Test starts on November 19, leaving an interval of just four days. 6. How many player visas were processed by the BCCI? The board arranged visas for 60 players across both the senior national squad and the India A lineup. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/new-zealand-ke-khilapha-bharatiya-dala-ka-chayana-jalda-shreyas-iyer-ko-mila-sakati-hai-vanade-kamana-aura-akash-deep-ki-vapasi-sn-43521 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.