Tilak Varma is likely to play India A’s third match; Jasprit Bumrah leaves for New Zealand

India’s Tilak Varma bats during the T20 International cricket match between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand. AP/PTI(AP10_30_2026_000236B) AUCKLAND: India middle-order batsman Tilak Varma is likely to be included in the India A squad for the unofficial third Test against New Zealand A. TimesofIndia.com has learned that the selectors want to give him some red ball and the schedule allows him to feature in one four-day match before joining the ODI squad for the final two matches in Tauranga.Not part of the squad for the first three ODIs, Tilak will not see any competitive cricket between November 2 and the fourth ODI on November 13. The southpaw could soon be asked to join the India A team in Christchurch. The third unofficial Test begins on November 7 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

Bumrah leaves for New Zealand; doubts over Pant

Meanwhile, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will board a flight to New Zealand from Bengaluru on November 1. On 25 October, he reported to the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) for a routine assessment ahead of the third unofficial Test and the two-match Test.“Bumrah did not go to the CoE to increase his workload. It was just a routine assessment and he ticked all the necessary boxes before boarding the flight,” a source following the development told TimesofIndia.com.It is further understood that the original plans were for Bumrah to travel with Rishabh Pant, who is undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE. However, Pant’s Return to Play (RTP) was delayed. The wicketkeeper-batsman remains touch-and-go for the third unofficial Test and will continue his recovery under the close watch of the BCCI medical team at the CoE.

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