India's squads for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand were announced on Friday. Before those assignments, the two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series, beginning on October 22. For India, the most crucial leg of the tour will be the two-Test series as they continue their push for a place in the World Test Championship 2027 final. New Zealand have enjoyed a significant edge over India in recent Test encounters, winning six of their last eight matches against them. Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India's Test squad after being rested for the ODI series. The star pacer, who has battled injury concerns in recent years, is expected to be a key weapon for India. However, former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee offered an interesting perspective on Bumrah's impact. Southee pointed out that, somewhat surprisingly, Bumrah has never been part of an Indian team that has defeated New Zealand in a Test match. He added that the Kiwis are well aware of how...
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior national selector's post, putting himself in contention for a position that fell vacant after the BCCI decided against renewing Ajit Agarkar's contract. "Yes, I have applied for the job," Jaffer confirmed to PTI. The 48-year-old Jaffer played 31 Tests for India, scoring close to 2,000 runs, including five centuries. His Test hundreds included a double century against the West Indies and a hundred in South Africa. He also scored a double century against Pakistan in Kolkata. If selected by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape, Jaffer would have the highest number of Test appearances among the candidates being considered for the chairman's position. With 31 Tests, he has a better playing record in the longest format than Pragyan Ojha, who represented India in 24 Tests. Under the existing selection process, the member from the zone with the highest num...