Kushagra replaces injured Pant for opening matches

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two matches of India A’s three-game multi-day series against New Zealand A after suffering a left-side strain while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup.

Kumar Kushagra has been added to the squad for those opening fixtures. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said Pant remains under the supervision of its medical team and is recovering well. His availability for the third match will be assessed later.

Pant’s selection had been subject to fitness clearance. With him unavailable, captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel is expected to take the gloves, with Kushagra providing another option behind the stumps. Cricbuzz reported that the 21-year-old Kushagra had scored two centuries in his previous three first-class matches, including one in the Duleep Trophy final and another against Australia A in Puducherry.

Three-match series begins October 24

The series, intended to give India players red-ball preparation in New Zealand conditions ahead of the Test assignments, begins in Lincoln on October 24. The second match is scheduled for Christchurch from October 31, with the final fixture returning to Lincoln on November 7.

• First match: October 24–27, Lincoln
• Second match: October 31–November 3, Christchurch
• Third match: November 7–10, Lincoln

The squad also includes senior players Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Kushagra is listed for the first and second matches; the selectors will decide on Pant’s possible return for the final game after further assessment.