Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant likely to play third unofficial test against New Zealand A

India’s leading paceman Jasprit Bumrah is likely to feature in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is also in contention to return to action ahead of India’s upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand.

The four-day fixture is set to begin on November 7 in Lincoln and could provide both players with valuable match practice ahead of the senior team’s red-ball assignment. According to a report in Cricinfo, Bumrah and Pant are currently preparing for the tour at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

Bumrah arrived at the facility on Monday while Pant reported on Friday. The pacer’s visit is part of the mandatory return-to-play protocols players must complete before joining the national team for the series, the report said.

Bumrah last featured for India during the Asian Games in Japan earlier this month, where the team won the gold medal. He was subsequently rested for India’s home white-ball series against the West Indies and the ongoing T20Is and ODIs against New Zealand.

THE FIT OF THE PANTS REMAINS KEY

Meanwhile, the hinge is working its way back after the applied lateral stress while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in early October. The injury forced him to miss Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener and the first two four-dayers against New Zealand A.

The left-handed batsman has resumed light training at the CoE, including batting practice, but is yet to resume wicketkeeping practice. His participation in the third unofficial Test will be subject to a fitness confirmation from the BCCI medical staff.

Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Kushagra was drafted into the India A squad for the first two matches in Pant’s absence. Kushagra was also named as cover for Ishan Kishan after the latter suffered a right adductor strain during the ongoing T20I series.

Both Bumrah and Pant are part of the Indian squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand. The opening Test is scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second match in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.

So India A’s third match could offer the pair an opportunity to build a match rhythm ahead of the Test series, even if Pant’s return remains under medical clearance.

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