India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is expected to feature in the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A in Lincoln from November 7 to 10, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s participation will depend on fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
Both players have been included in India’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, with the opening match scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1, according to reports.
Bumrah and Pant are currently undergoing training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru as part of their preparations. Pant arrived at the facility on Friday, while Bumrah joined the camp on Monday.
Bumrah’s training forms part of the mandatory return-to-play programme that players must complete before joining the national side. The fast bowler is expected to travel to New Zealand on November 1.
His last appearance for India came at the Asian Games in Japan in early October, where the team secured the gold medal. He was subsequently rested for the home white-ball series against the West Indies and the limited-overs leg of India’s ongoing New Zealand tour.
Pant, meanwhile, is working his way back from a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in early October. He captained Rest of India to victory over Jammu and Kashmir in the competition but the injury ruled him out of Delhi’s opening Ranji Trophy match and the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.
The left-handed batter has resumed light training at the CoE, including batting drills, but is yet to return to wicketkeeping duties. His availability for the final unofficial Test will be decided after an assessment by the medical staff.
Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra replaced Pant for the first two four-day matches against New Zealand A. He was also recently brought into India’s T20I setup as cover for Ishan Kishan, who is recovering from a right adductor strain.
The Lincoln fixture is expected to provide valuable match practice for Bumrah and, if cleared, Pant before India’s Test assignments later in November.
