Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant likely to play for India A against New Zealand A ahead of test series

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New Delhi: Stand-in India pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant are set to play in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand-A starting on November 7 in Lincoln.

The game should give both teams good game time before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand.

As Bumrah is going through the return-to-play procedures, Pant’s involvement will be subject to medical clearance by the BCCI medics.

The duo are presently training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Bumrah last played for India during the Asian Games, where the team secured the gold medal, before he was rested for the remaining white ball games.

Getting him back into the fold of red-ball cricket would certainly be a great fillip for India ahead of the Test series.

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Pant, who was sidelined with a side strain he picked up at the Irani Cup in October, missed Delhi’s Ranji Trophy season-opener as well as the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.

He has returned to light training and batting practice but has not undertaken any wicketkeeping as yet. As a result his availability has been subject to medical advice.

India’s two-Test series against New Zealand will get underway from 19 November in Wellington and then continues with the second Test in Christchurch from 27 November.

A appearance may provide a chance for the duo to regain some match rhythm, and determine their preparedness before joining the senior team ahead of the significant red-ball assignment.

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