Kumar Kushagra has been handed the wicket‑keeper spot for India A’s first two multi‑day fixtures against New Zealand A, after Rishabh Pant was ruled out with a left‑side strain.
Pant, who had been named for the series pending fitness clearance, twisted his left side while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup. The BCCI confirmed the injury and said Pant is under medical supervision, with a decision on his availability for the third match to be taken later.
Under the new lineup, Dhruv Jurel leads the side as captain, with Kushagra joining him in the net room. The squad also boasts senior internationals like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar who should shore up the batting and bowling.
The three‑match series starts on October 24 in Lincoln and will move to Christchurch for the second game. India A’s red‑ball preparation hinges on these matches, so the selectors are keen to keep the lineup as robust as possible.
Pant’s absence leaves a gap that Kushagra will try to fill, but his return to the third fixture is still up in the air. India A’s next challenge will test how well the team adapts to the loss of one of its marquee players.