Mumbai, Aug 7: Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori was absent in the 15-man Test squad announced by New Zealand Cricket for the upcoming tour to India. Off-spinner Jeetan Patel has been called in to replace the former skipper, who is nursing a groin injury that he sustained during the recent tour to the West Indies. “Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won’t recover in time for the Test series but his injury has created an opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side. Jeetan has been in great form for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity,” said National Selection Manager Kim Littlejohn.

Batsman Dean Brownlie has been dropped from the Test squad and has made way for allrounder James Franklin who is familiar with Indian conditions having been part of the Mumbai Indians squad in the IPL.

“Dean Brownlie misses out on selection. We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game. There’s no doubt he will work hard to regain selection,” Littlejohn said.

“The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad,” Littlejohn was quoted as saying on New Zealand Cricket’s official website.

The first of the two Tests will begin on August 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. The second Test will be played at Bengaluru while the two Twenty20s will be held in Vizag and Chennai respectively.

New Zealand squad:

Ross Taylor (c) Trent Boult Doug Bracewell Daniel Flynn James Franklin Martin Guptill Chris Martin Brendon McCullum Tarun Nethula Jeetan Patel Tim Southee Kruger van Wyk Neil Wagner BJ Watling Kane Williamson