- Pant sustained a left-side strain while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
- The selectors have named Kumar Kushagra as the replacement.
- The BCCI will decide on Pant’s availability for the third match at a later stage.
India A have suffered a setback ahead of their upcoming tour of New Zealand, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant ruled out of the first two matches due to a left-side strain.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday named Gujarat Titans wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra as his replacement for the opening two fixtures.
Pant sustained the injury while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup. His selection for the New Zealand tour had initially been made subject to fitness, but the latest update means he will miss the first two matches of the three-game multi-day series.
The BCCI confirmed that Pant remains under the supervision of its medical team and is recovering well. However, a decision on his availability for the third match will be taken at a later stage.
Kumar Kushagra Replaces Rishabh Pant
Kushagra's inclusion allows the young wicketkeeper-batter to feature in India A's red-ball assignment against New Zealand A. The 21-year-old has been making an impression in domestic cricket and recently produced strong performances in first-class matches.
🚨 News 🚨 Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two India A matches against New Zealand A. Kumar Kushagra has been named as his replacement in the squad. More Details ▶️ https://t.co/GlNfm5b5or #NZAvINDA
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2026
He has also represented Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, adding to his experience at a higher level of the game. His selection for the first two matches provides India A with an additional wicketkeeping option in Pant's absence.
It's a great opportunity for the youngster to prove himself and make a name for himself in the Indian squad for the long term. He has performed brilliantly in Ranji and Duleep Trophy previously.
Dhruv Jurel To Lead India A
Dhruv Jurel will captain India A and take over wicketkeeping duties for the opening two matches. The squad also features experienced international players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar, alongside Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan.
ALSO READ: IND vs SL: BCCI Denies Reports Of India-Sri Lanka ODI Moving From Delhi To Ahmedabad
The three-match multi-day series will be an important opportunity for India's players to prepare for overseas red-ball cricket, with the first match scheduled to begin on October 24 in Lincoln.
India A Squad For New Zealand Tour
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Dhruv Jurel (captain and wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar and Kumar Kushagra (first and second matches).
