Bangla Press Desk: India is currently playing a T20 series against New Zealand. Ahead of the Test series against the Kiwis, which begins on November 19, Team India has received some encouraging news.
Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of the pace attack, may return to action in a warm-up match for the India 'A' side, having recovered from his injury. Rishabh Pant could also feature in this match; however, everything hinges on a fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
Both Bumrah and Pant have been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand. The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 19 in Wellington, followed by the second on November 27 in Christchurch. In the lead-up to these matches, both players are training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. Pant arrived last Friday, while Bumrah joined the group today.
Bumrah is set to depart for New Zealand on November 1. Before doing so, the pacer must complete a mandatory 'return-to-play' protocol. Bumrah was part of the Indian team that won gold at the Asian Games, having competed in the tournament in Japan earlier in October; however, he has been away from Test cricket for quite some time.
He is now looking to get some preparation under his belt before the Test series against the Kiwis.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant sustained a muscle injury during the Irani Cup, which ruled him out of Delhi’s opening round of the Ranji Trophy. He also missed the first two warm-up matches against New Zealand 'A'. It is understood that Pant has begun light training at the COE; while he has started batting drills, he has yet to resume wicketkeeping. Consequently, his participation in the third warm-up match will depend on his fitness status.
As a replacement for Pant, the selectors have brought in Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra for the first two warm-up matches against New Zealand 'A'. If Pant regains fitness, he might get an opportunity for match practice ahead of the series against the Kiwis.
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