India have named their squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 25. A number of players have been rested after what has been a hectic schedule, with a few surprise call-ups. Sarah Waris looks at the takeaways from the squad that was announced earlier today.

The curious case of Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, who last played a first-class match in February 2019, makes the cut. Though the Delhi Capitals batter averages 52.18 after 54 first-class games, his call-up does come as a surprise due to his long absence from the red-ball game. Iyer’s selection and the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, who was part of the squad for the series against England earlier this year, does raise eyebrows.

Why isn’t Prithvi Shaw in the reckoning?

Prithvi Shaw flew to England after finishing his white-ball duties against Sri Lanka in July after being called up as a stand-by player for the series. Dropped during through the tour of Australia last year, Shaw was back in the reckoning after a splendid run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier this year, where he scored a record 827 runs. Shaw carried his form into the IPL as well, and ended the tournament with 479 runs at a strike rate of nearing 160, but has not been included in the home Test series. He’ll tour with the ‘A’ side to South Africa instead, but it still appears odd that he isn’t part of the main set-up.

Is this Wriddhiman Saha’s last chance?

In the absence of Rishabh Pant, who appears to have been rested, Wriddhiman Saha looks set to be the first-choice wicketkeeper, with KS Bharat in the squad as well. Saha, who is no longer a regular in the XI following Pant’s rise, may well have a final chance to impress at Test level. Though the 37-year-old is undoubtedly one of the finest glovemen in the country, Pant’s batting excellence has limited to him a back-up role in the last year.

What has Hanuma Vihari done to not be considered?

Hanuma Vihari’s last India outing was the epic 23 not out off 161 balls against Australia to save the Test match at the SCG, an innings in which he battled through injury to take India towards safety. The batter was subsequently ruled out of the following Test at Gabba, and hasn’t played since. Vihari, who has played 11 of his 12 Tests away from home, scoring one hundred and four fifties in tough conditions, will consider himself unfortunate after missing a spot for the home games.

Is Shardul Thakur only an overseas Test specialist?

The omission of Shardul Thakur from the side goes on to show how he appears to be considered a seaming all-rounder mainly useful in overseas conditions. With India usually going in with a spin-heavy approach at home, Thakur may not be in the fray when the team plays at home.