Following an impressive display in the Irani Cup, Mukesh Kumar has strengthened his case for a spot in India’s red-ball squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. He is now considered a leading candidate alongside fellow Bengal pacer Akash Deep, whose inclusion in the touring party was first discussed in late September.
The team management, spearheaded by head coach Gautam Gambhir, views Akash Deep as a vital asset for the challenging conditions in New Zealand. Additionally, officials are keen for the selection panel to consider the 32-year-old Mukesh, who has accumulated experience across three Tests, six ODIs, and 17 T20Is since his international debut in July 2023. These two seamers played instrumental roles in helping the Rest of India secure a dramatic comeback victory in Srinagar on October 4, with Mukesh claiming eight wickets and Akash Deep taking six. While Akash claimed six wickets in the match, Mukesh returned an eight-wicket haul in Rest of India’s 167-run win. And it now transpires that the management also wants the selectors to consider Mukesh, the 32-year-old seamer, who has played three Tests, six ODIs and 17 T20Is in 12 months since making his international debut in July 2023, akash Deep was considered vital to India’s chances in New Zealand by the Gautam Gambhir-led team management.
These performances were closely monitored by Gambhir, who is expected to provide his technical input to the four-member selection committee led by Pragyan Ojha. The two pacers are likely to be named in a 16- or 17-member squad for the two-Test series—which forms part of the World Test Championship cycle—alongside established bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Gurnoor Brar.
Meanwhile, the status of pacer Prasidh Krishna remains a talking point. Although he suffered a hamstring injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, it is not believed to be severe enough to rule him out of the tour entirely. Prasidh is currently undergoing evaluation at the Centre of Excellence, and his selection depends on receiving medical clearance. There is cautious optimism that he will be fit for the red-ball leg of the October 22–December 1 tour, even if he misses the preceding T20I and ODI matches.
Administrative changes are also affecting the national setup, as Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector officially concluded on Sunday with the expiration of his contract. In the interim, the selection committee will operate with four members. A meeting is expected next week to finalize the squad for the New Zealand assignment, though whether the current leadership arrangement will become permanent remains to be determined. And the BCCI has made an interim arrangement, his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expired. Whether this is a temporary or full-time arrangement will not be clear until a new selector is identified.
In the immediate term, the Indian T20I squad is gathering in Lucknow on Monday to prepare for their opening match against the West Indies on Tuesday, October 6. Most players, having returned from an assignment in Japan on Sunday, are set to participate in a practice session on Monday evening.
