Sports · Cricket · 9 hrs ago
Bumrah and Pant may play third unofficial Test against New Zealand A
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play for India A in a four-day match against New Zealand A starting November 7 in Lincoln.
Rishabh Pant is also in contention, but his return depends on fitness clearance from the BCCI medical staff.
Pant has been recovering from a side strain that kept him out of earlier matches against New Zealand A and Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener.
He has resumed light training, including batting drills, but has not restarted wicketkeeping practice.
The match could give both players valuable practice before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand.
That series is scheduled to start in Wellington on November 19, followed by a second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play in India A’s third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, which starts on November 7.
Rishabh Pant is also in contention for the match as he recovers from a side strain, but needs medical fitness clearance.
The four-day match is scheduled to be played in Lincoln and could give both players match practice ahead of India’s Test series against New Zealand.
Bumrah and Pant are training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Pant missed the first two matches against New Zealand A and Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener while recovering from injury.
- Who
- Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant are in contention to play for India A.
- What
- They may play the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. Pant’s participation depends on fitness clearance.
- When
- The match is scheduled to start on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Lincoln, New Zealand.
- Why
- The match could provide match practice ahead of India’s two-Test series against New Zealand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pant suffered a side strain while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup.
Reports said Bumrah and Pant were training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A is scheduled to begin in Lincoln.
India’s first Test against New Zealand is scheduled in Wellington.
- Players
- Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant
- Match
- Third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A
- Start date
- November 7, 2026
- Venue
- Lincoln
- Pant’s condition
- Participation depends on BCCI medical fitness clearance