When the selection committee convened last week, the only consensus was to postpone the final list for the NZ tour until the fitness of three key players clears. Prasidh Krishna, who left the second ODI vs West Indies in Guwahati on Sept 30 after a left‑hamstring complaint, was pulled from the squad and given a strict three‑week window at the Centre of Excellence. Harshit Rana, a seam‑bowling all‑rounder who has been training at the CoE since July, is slated for a return‑to‑play simulation on June 25. Rishabh Pant will miss the first two India ‘A’ four‑day fixtures starting Oct 24 due to a side strain picked up in the Irani Cup.
BCCI source said, "With both Pant and Krishna, the injuries don’t look severe at the outset. But the CoE doesn’t want to take any chances." The selectors still see Rana as a perfect fit for both formats, batting at No. 8, and are keen to have him in the lineup for the upcoming ODIs and Tests. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been named in the T20I squad after a four‑year hiatus, is also undergoing intensive training at the CoE to regain match fitness ahead of the IPL and the international calendar.
Pant had requested game time with India ‘A’ to find rhythm before the two‑Test series that starts on Nov 19. His absence means the top‑order will need a replacement, and the selectors are already scouting options. The CoE’s cautious approach suggests that the next squad announcement will likely be made on Oct 28, when the team heads to New Zealand.
With ODIs slated to kick off on Nov 4 and a warm‑up match scheduled after the third India ‘A’ four‑day game on Nov 10, the pressure mounts on the selectors to lock in a balanced side. The delay underscores the importance of player fitness ahead of an overseas tour, and fans will be watching closely to see how the team resolves the gaps.