is expected to feature in India A’s third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, with star keeper-batter Rishabh Pant also in contention for the playing XI for the match starting November 7 in Lincoln, according to reports.
Both key players are currently training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Pant arrived at the facility on Friday, while Bumrah joined him on Monday.
“Bumrah’s CoE visit is to fulfil the obligatory return-to-play conditions for all players ahead of any series before he takes the flight to New Zealand on November 1,” Cricinfo said in a report.
Bumrah, who featured in India’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the in Japan earlier this month, has not played competitive cricket since that event. He was rested for the home white-ball series against the West Indies, as well as the T20I and ODI legs of the current New Zealand tour.
Rishabh Pant continues rehabilitation following Irani Cup injury
Meanwhile, was sidelined after picking up a side strain in early October during the Irani Cup, where he captained the Rest of India to a victory over Jammu and Kashmir.
That injury also forced the wicketkeeper-batter to miss Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener and the first two four-day matches against New Zealand A. According to the report, Pant has restarted light training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, with batting drills forming part of his program, though he has not yet resumed wicket-keeping.
In Pant’s absence, Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was brought in for the opening two fixtures. Kushagra was also called up as injury cover for Ishan Kishan in the ongoing T20I series after the Jharkhand captain suffered a right adductor strain.
Both Bumrah and Pant are named in India’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23 and in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
Team India is currently competing in a five-match T20 series against New Zealand, which will be followed by three ODIs and two Test matches. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are yet to join the squad in New Zealand.