Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant are progressing through their preparations ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with the two players expected to feature in the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A. While Bumrah is expected to take part in the match, Pant’s participation will depend on fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical staff.
The development offers India a potential boost as the team prepares for the challenging two-match Test series later in November.
Both players have been training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as they work towards returning to competitive cricket. Pant arrived at the facility earlier, while Bumrah joined the training camp subsequently. Their preparations are part of India’s fitness and workload management plans ahead of the international assignment. The third unofficial Test is scheduled to take place in Lincoln, New Zealand, from November 7 to 10, providing an opportunity for the players to gain match practice before joining the national team.
Bumrah’s return to competitive action is particularly important for India’s bowling plans. The fast bowler is expected to travel to New Zealand on November 1 after completing the required return-to-play process at the Centre of Excellence. He last represented India 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 ongoing limited-overs matches against New Zealand, allowing him to prepare for the longer format.
Pant, meanwhile, continues his recovery from a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in the first week of October. The wicketkeeper-batter had led Rest of India to victory against Jammu and Kashmir before the injury affected his availability. He subsequently missed Delhi’s opening Ranji Trophy fixture and the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. Although Pant has resumed light training and batting drills at the Centre of Excellence, he has yet to return to wicketkeeping duties, making medical clearance essential before he can participate in a competitive match.
Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was named as Pant’s replacement for the first two four-day matches against New Zealand A. Kushagra has also been brought into India’s ongoing T20I setup as a backup for Ishan Kishan, who sustained a right adductor strain. India’s medical and coaching staff will continue to assess the players’ recovery before making decisions about their availability for upcoming fixtures.
India’s two-Test series against New Zealand will begin in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second match in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. With conditions in New Zealand expected to challenge batters and provide assistance to fast bowlers, Bumrah’s availability could strengthen India’s pace attack. Pant’s return would also provide an important option behind the stumps and in the batting order, although his selection remains subject to fitness clearance.