Team India, led by Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in the T20I series. The focus, now, shifts to two five-day games, as the two-match Test series starts on November 25. 

Only months ago, New Zealand defeated Virat Kohli and company in the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton, UK. This time around, the regular Indian Test skipper has been rested. Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead the team. 

India’s playing 11 from the WTC defeat is set to see some changes, simply because several big guns – Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami – have been rested. 

Also read: With fearless attitude, Cheteshwar Pujara all set for New Zealand Test series

Here are five India players to watch out for:

1) Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ashwin has picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 5.25 since making his return to the Indian limited-overs set-up starting from the T20 World Cup. He will be riding high on confidence. The Delhi Capitals bowler dismissed three Kiwi batsmen during the 20-over series leading up to the Tests.

Bowling in the sub-continent, Ashwin is likely to dominate Kane Williamson and company with his ability to spin the ball with variations. 

Also read: IPL 2022: Will Delhi Capitals let R Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer go? Spinner weighs in

2) Shubman Gill:

Like Ravi Ashwin, Shubman Gill also comes into the series with some brilliant white-ball show. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the opener registered scores of 40 and 44 against Goa and Maharashtra respectively. His form in the second-leg of the IPL was a testimonial to the quality of player the 22-year-old is. 

With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul missing out, Gill is likely to open the innings alongside Mayank Agarwal. 

Also read: Shardul Thakur to play for India A, Suryakumar Yadav included in Test squad for NZ series

3) Cheteshwar Pujara:

Pujara scored two half-centuries, one of them being a 91, against England in three Tests. He has not scored a century on home soil in 17 innings and against New Zealand , ‘the hermit’ will back himself to reach the three-figure mark. 

He has scored 772 runs from 10 matches at an average of 42.88 against the Kiwis. 

4) Mohammed Siraj:

With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami missing the Test series, Siraj has an opportunity to step up and prove his worth as a red-ball bowler. He will face tough competition for a place in the playing 11 from the likes of Umesh Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.