India v New Zealand: India's predicted Test squad

Pace bowlers:

Ishant Sharma; Mohammad Shami; Bhuvneshwar Kumar; Umesh Yadav; Shardul Thakur

As pointed out by several pundits, the Indian pace battery has become better over the years. Moreover, with Anil Kumble taking over as the coach, the Indian pacers look somewhat invincible at the moment. Similar to the West Indies tour, it is widely expected that the Indians continue with the same five pacers who went ahead with the tour.

While Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami are certain starters if not for injuries, the place for the third seamer will be fought out between the other three pacers. Shardul Thakur’s place is perhaps the only one under some sort of a doubt despite some terrific performances from the young pacer with the India ‘A’ side down under.