New Zealand picked up five spinners for India Test

Wellington: Experienced spin trio Ajaz Patel, Will Somerville and Mitchell Santner will be supported by rising stars Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips when New Zealand begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) defence on Tour of India in November.

The five spin options have been included as part of a 15-strong squad for the two-Test series, to be played in Kanpur from November 25-29, and Mumbai from December 3-7.

According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), 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.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said player welfare remained paramount.

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

The India tour marks the first time Phillips has been selected in the Test squad since debuting against Australia as a late replacement in 2020 when the New Zealand camp was struck by illness on the eve of the New Year's Test in Sydney.

The India Test series will be the first without wicket-keeping stalwart BJ Watling since his retirement following the WTC final win in England, with Tom Blundell set to take over the Test gloves.

The New Zealand-based Test players depart for India on Monday.

The Kiwis will first face India in three T20 Internationals on November 17, 19 and 21 - with the current T20 World Cup squad carrying on for that series.