Injured Rishabh Pant Ruled Out Of First Two India A Matches Against New Zealand

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India A’s first two matches on the upcoming New Zealand tour due to a left-side strain.

The BCCI announced on Monday that Kumar Kushagra would replace him for the opening games.

Pant’s availability for the tour had already been subject to fitness concerns after he suffered viral fever while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup match against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said Pant, 29, remained under the supervision of the board’s medical team.

“He remains under the care of the BCCI Medical Team and is recovering well.

“A decision on his availability for the third match will be taken at a later stage. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Kumar Kushagra as Pant’s replacement for the first two matches,” Saikia said.

The 21-year-old Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter will join Dhruv Jurel’s squad for the red-ball series.

The team also includes international players Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar.

Kushagra impressed during India A’s recent red-ball matches against Australia A in Puducherry.

He scored 113 and 46 in the first match to help his side secure victory, before managing 10 and one in the second game.

The India A tour will serve as preparation for the senior sides’ two-Test series in Wellington and Christchurch.

The matches will also provide valuable red-ball practice ahead of the World Test Championship campaign.

India A’s updated squad is led by Dhruv Jurel, with Kumar Kushagra included for the first two matches.

Other members include Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary and Yash Rathod.

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