Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Devdutt Padikkal could be handed an India A assignment during the upcoming tour of New Zealand, with the senior players likely to feature in one game to gain valuable match practice.
The development comes as the Indian team management continues preparations for the New Zealand tour. According to the latest update, the selection meeting for the India A squad has been delayed, with the selectors waiting for Prasidh Krishna’s fitness report before finalising the team.
The possibility of Pant, Rahul and Bumrah playing an India A match could provide the trio with an opportunity to get used to the conditions in New Zealand before joining the main international squad. The country’s pitches and weather can present a different challenge for Indian players, particularly for batters and fast bowlers.
Pant remains a crucial part of India’s plans across formats, while Rahul brings significant experience of playing international cricket in overseas conditions. Both could benefit from spending time in the middle before the main assignments begin.
Bumrah’s workload will also be closely monitored. The premier Indian pacer has regularly been managed carefully, and an India A appearance could allow the team management to assess his rhythm and match readiness in competitive conditions.
Padikkal could also get an opportunity to strengthen his case with a strong performance for India A. The left-handed batter has previously been part of India’s setup and could benefit from exposure to New Zealand conditions.
Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna’s fitness remains an important factor in finalising the India A squad. The selectors are expected to take a call after receiving his latest fitness update.
