Four Wisden writers pick their India playing XIs for the first Test of the upcoming two-match India-New Zealand Test series.

New Zealand will take on India in a two-Test series which will be a part of the World Test Championship 2021-23. India will be without a number of their senior squad members owing to their busy schedule over the next few months. The set of players include Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Mohammad Shami. Regular captain Virat Kohli will also miss the first Test. This will be an opportunity for a number of fringe players to make a good case for themselves.

The Kiwis will be a handful lot. Of late they have done well in the Asian conditions, beating Pakistan 2-1 in 2018/19, and drawing a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2019. Despite losing the Test series 0-3 in 2016/17, the Black Caps were impressive in their last tour of India.

Before the Test series starts on November 25, four Wisden writers have their say on the India XI for the New Zealand Test series.

Ben Gardner, Wisden.com managing editor

Mayank Agarwal
Shubman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Shreyas Iyer
Ajinkya Rahane
Wriddhiman Saha
Ravindra Jadeja
R Ashwin
Axar Patel
Umesh Yadav
Ishant Sharma

There’s a temptation, given all the players India are resting, to go full-on experimentation like a mad scientist with beakers of green liquid. But New Zealand are the best Test team in the world. Given India’s absences, they arguably go in as favourites. So this batting order is the best, on paper, that India can pick, as tempting as it would be to play SKY over Rahane or give KS Bharat a game.

With the bowlers, the question is three spinners or three quicks, and Axar Patel’s extraordinary England series earns his selection, though if the pitch looks flat, Mohammed Siraj might edge him out. If not, I think Umesh Yadav, with his brilliant home record, and Ishant Sharma, the ever-reliable workhorse, are India’s best bets. Even with half a first-choice XI missing, it’s still some team.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

Mayank Agarwal
Shubman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane
Suryakumar Yadav
Ravindra Jadeja
Wriddhiman Saha
Ravichandran Ashwin
Jayant Yadav
Umesh Yadav
Mohammed Siraj

As unfortunate as it is, KL Rahul’s injury means that all questions around the openers’ slots have been diffused for now. I’d want to see Suryakumar’s flair in the middle order, given how rusty Rahane and Pujara have looked of late, and possibly even have Iyer for the second Test at the expense of Rahane, once Kohli returns.

Jadeja and Ashwin pick themselves, while Siraj, fitness permitting, joins Umesh (who is so good at home). Another spinner? Surely, given the nature of Kanpur’s track. Most would go for Axar Patel, but I’d pick Jayant as he’s arguably a better red-ball bat, and could be more impactful against a Kiwi line-up that is likely to have three left-handers in the top five.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

Shubman Gill
Mayank Agarwal
Cheteshwar Pujara
Shreyas Iyer
Ajinkya Rahane
KS Bharat
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin
Axar Patel
Umesh Yadav
Ishant Sharma

After KL Rahul’s injury, the opening slot has been sealed. The only debatable spot left is at number four, and I would want Suryakumar Yadav over Shreyas Iyer. With no Rishabh Pant, the Indian batting lacks a power-hitter, which we can expect Yadav to be.

I wouldn’t have wanted Ajinkya Rahane, but I guess that’s unavoidable. For the wicketkeeper’s spot, I’d prefer KS Bharat over Wriddhiman Saha. Though Saha is a better keeper, Bharat has age on his side and persisting with the former could be considered a step backwards. For the bowling attack, I have gone in with three spinners, because, despite the wicket, sticking to one’s strengths can never go wrong. Umesh Yadav pips Mohammad Siraj in the XI for me. The latter’s perseverance should be rewarded, and he has an excellent record in India as well. Ishant’s experience means he’s the first-choice quick.

Divy Tripathi, Wisden India staff writer

Mayank Agarwal
Shubman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Shreyas Iyer
Ajinkya Rahane 
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja
Wriddhiman Saha
Axar Patel
Umesh Yadav
Mohammed Siraj

The last time these two teams played a Test at Kanpur was on a sporting wicket which assisted the spinners towards the end. Assuming that we will see something similar, I have decided to go in with three spinners. Axar Patel’s recent form helps him pip Jayant Yadav in the third spinner’s slot.

It is a tough call between Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer for the middle-order slot, and the latter beats his Mumbai compatriot marginally. Iyer can fit in well at number four, and also scores his runs at a brisk pace in first-class cricket (strike-rate – 81.54).

Given their pace resources at hand, India can adopt a policy of rotation over the next few weeks. For this game, I’ve chosen the very special Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav.