Pant out of first two India A unofficial Tests with side strain
Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two unofficial Tests between India A and New Zealand A because of a side strain. Kumar Kushagra has been named as his replacement for those matches.
Pant had initially been selected for the tour. Wisden’s squad list shows him available for the third match, while Kushagra is listed for the first two.
The details
A decision on Pant’s availability for the third match will be made at a later date. Skipper Dhruv Jurel is also available as a wicketkeeping option.
The three unofficial Tests are scheduled for 24-27 October at Lincoln, 31 October-3 November at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and 7-10 November at Lincoln.
The BCCI’s India Test squad for the New Zealand tour also lists Pant as a wicketkeeper, with a note that his selection is subject to fitness clearance.
What it means for India
The A series gives India exposure to local conditions before the senior team’s World Test Championship assignment, which starts on 19 November in Wellington. India will play five ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand after the T20I series, with Shubman Gill named Test captain and KL Rahul vice-captain.
The schedule could affect some senior players’ availability for the whole A series, as India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on 4 November.
Kushagra’s name has come up in the senior set-up too. The BCCI added him to the India squad as cover for the second T20I after Ishan Kishan was ruled out.
What’s next
India’s senior side plays the third T20I against New Zealand on Tuesday, 27 October at 12:30 PM IST. The fourth follows on Friday, 30 October at 12:30 PM IST, and the fifth on Sunday, 1 November at 12:30 PM IST.
India won the first two T20Is of the series by 4 wickets each.
