India’s preparations for the upcoming red-ball assignments have hit a snag as star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been officially ruled out of the first two multi-day matches of the India A tour of New Zealand.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra will take Pant’s place in the India A squad for the opening two fixtures. “Rishabh Pant, whose availability for the India A tour of New Zealand was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the first two matches. The wicketkeeper-batter had sustained a left side strain while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
The 29-year-old Pant had been picked in the ‘A’ squad conditional on medical clearance.
He sustained a left side strain earlier this month while captaining Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup.
He remains under the care of the BCCI Medical Team and is recovering well. With Pant sidelined for the initial part of the tour, the Men’s Selection Committee called up Jharkhand wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra to join Dhruv Jurel, who leads the side – in the wicketkeeping department. The shadow tour was designed to provide key red-ball players valuable game time and acclimatization to seam-friendly Kiwi conditions ahead of the senior Test series. Pant remains an indispensable linchpin in India’s Test middle order. team doctors are opting for a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the core muscle strain before international duties commence While the medical team has not ruled him out of the third ‘A’ game or the subsequent Test series.
A decision on his availability for the third match will be taken at a later stage,” the BCCI said in a statement.
