The Kane Williamson-led New Zealand cricket team will tour India for three T20 Internationals (November 17) and two Tests  (November 25). Pacers Trent Boult and bowling all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme have chosen to make themselves unavailable for the Test series citing fatigue.

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The two have had to stay in a bio bubble for a long time due to the restriction put in place in order to combat the spread of coronavirus amongst the players. In an official statement the Blackcaps said, “Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme made themselves unavailable for selection due to the prospect of further time in bio-secure bubbles and managed isolation.”

The team’s head coach Gary Stead believes that the welfare of the players remained ‘paramount’ and said, “Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme made themselves unavailable for selection due to the prospect of further time in bio-secure bubbles and managed isolation.”

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He added, “From talking to both players it was clear the best option for them was to be left out of this Test tour and for them to instead focus on being ready for the New Zealand home summer.”

The Kiwis will be coming with five spinners, including Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. The combination is a blend of experience and youth, and is expected to perform well on Indian pitches.

The Two tests will be played in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7) and both pitches are known to help the slower bowlers.

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Ravindra made his debut for the Kiwis in September against Bangladesh in a T20I and is yet to play his first Test for the national side. As for Glenn, the spinner has been named in the side’s Test squad for the first time since 2020.

Tom Blundell will be taking over as the man behind the stumps following the retirement of BJ Watling after the WTC final against the Indians.

New Zealand’s squad includes:

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Will Young, and Neil Wagner.