Bumrah, Pant likely to feature for India A in 3rd unofficial Test vs New Zealand A

New Delhi: Pacer is likely to play the third unofficial Test match between India A and New Zealand A, which is scheduled to begin on November 7 in Lincoln. The fast bowler is expected to be joined by Rishabh Pant in the same match, but his inclusion is subject to getting fitness clearance from the medical staff.

Both Pant and Bumrah have been included in India’s squad for the two-match Test series, which will begin in Wellington on November 19. The second Test of the series will be in Christchurch on November 27. According to a Cricinfo report, both players are currently training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Bumrah’s visit to the CoE is part of the obligatory return-to-play process for all players ahead of any series before he travels to New Zealand on November 1. He last featured for the national side during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where India clinched the gold medal in early October.

The selectors rested him for the West Indies series at home, and for the white-ball leg of the ongoing New Zealand tour, but Bumrah has been training in Ahmedabad, where he resides.

Pant recovering from side strain suffered during Irani Cup

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is recovering from the side strain which he suffered during the Irani Cup. He led Rest of India to a title victory against Jammu and Kashmir in the early week of October. That injury ruled Pant out of the opening Ranji Trophy round as well as the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.

Pant has begun light training at the Centre of Excellence, including batting practice, but he hasn’t started keeping yet. The BCCI has named Jharkhand’s wicketkeeper batter Kumar Kushagra as Pant’s replacement for the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. He was also named as backup for the injured Ishan Kishan, who suffered a right adductor strain in the ongoing five-match T20I series.