Will Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant Make Their Comeback Against New Zealand A?

Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant are gearing up for a possible return in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, starting November 7. Both players are currently training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Bumrah, who last played in the Asian Games, is fulfilling return-to-play protocols, while Pant is recovering from a side strain. Their participation could significantly impact India's squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Will they be fit enough to play?

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 26, 2026, 21:42 IST

Bumrah and Pant Eye Return in Upcoming Test

New Delhi: India's star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is expected to participate in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is also vying for a spot in the playing XI for the match set to commence on November 7 in Lincoln, as per recent reports.

Currently, both athletes are honing their skills at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Pant arrived at the facility on Friday, while Bumrah joined on Monday.

According to Cricinfo, Bumrah's visit to the CoE is part of the mandatory return-to-play protocols that all players must complete before any series, ahead of his departure to New Zealand on November 1.

Bumrah, who contributed to India's gold medal victory at the Asian Games in Japan earlier this month, has not played since that tournament.

He was given a break during the home white-ball series against the West Indies and the T20I and ODI matches on the current tour of New Zealand.

Pant has been recovering from a side strain he sustained during the Irani Cup in early October, where he led the Rest of India to victory over Jammu and Kashmir.

This injury also caused him to miss Delhi's Ranji Trophy opener and the first two four-day matches against New Zealand A.

Reports indicate that Pant has started light training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, incorporating batting drills into his regimen, although he has yet to resume wicket-keeping.

In Pant's absence, Jharkhand's wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been called up for the first two matches.

Kushagra has also been named as a backup for Ishan Kishan in the ongoing T20I series after Kishan suffered a right adductor strain.

Both Bumrah and Pant are included in India's squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which will take place in Wellington from November 19 to 23 and in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.