Tilak Varma is likely to join the India A squad for the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, scheduled to begin in Lincoln on November 7. Meanwhile, senior fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has left Bengaluru for New Zealand after completing a routine fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).
India have adopted a split-squad approach for the ongoing tour, with the senior team scheduled to play five ODIs before the two-match Test series. Tilak Varma is also part of the ODI squad for the final two matches, while several players are being managed with the World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures in mind.
Tilak Varma Likely to Join India A for Third Unofficial Test Against New Zealand A
According to the Times of India, the selectors want Tilak Varma to gain red-ball experience during his break from international cricket. He is not part of India's squad for the first three ODIs and will have no competitive cricket between November 2 and the fourth match on November 13.
Tilak Varma could therefore join the India A squad in time for the four-day fixture at Bert Sutcliffe Oval. He is scheduled to feature in the final two ODIs on November 13 and 15 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy from Shubman Gill for those matches.
The selectors are considering the India A opportunity to keep Tilak Varma match-ready before he returns to the senior squad. Tilak Varma has scored 93 runs from 73 balls across the first four T20Is of the series against New Zealand. He scored an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls in the second match.
Jasprit Bumrah Leaves for New Zealand as Rishabh Pant's Return Is Delayed
Jasprit Bumrah checked into the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on October 25 for a routine assessment ahead of the third unofficial Test and the senior team's two-match Test series. He was scheduled to travel to New Zealand on November 1 after completing the required evaluations.
"Bumrah didn't go to the CoE to increase his workload. It was just a routine assessment, and he has ticked all the necessary boxes before boarding the flight," the source told TimesofIndia.com.
Bumrah was originally expected to travel with Rishabh Pant, who is continuing his rehabilitation at the CoE. However, the wicketkeeper-batter's Return to Play timeline has been delayed.
Pant has been ruled out of the fixture as a precaution after sustaining a left-side strain during the Irani Cup final. Although he has resumed skill training and is reportedly experiencing no pain or clinical symptoms, the BCCI medical team has decided against rushing his return.
Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy Set to Join India A
Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the ODI series because of a hamstring injury. The BCCI plans to include him in the India A squad for the final four-day fixture. However, his participation will depend on clearing the official Return to Play assessment before the match.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also scheduled to join India A after the first ODI on November 4. His inclusion will give him an opportunity to gain match practice before the senior Test series.
The two-match Test series between India and New Zealand will be played from November 19 to December 1. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST.
The opening Test will take place at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to 23. The teams will then travel to Christchurch for the second Test at Hagley Oval, scheduled from November 27 to December 1. The match will conclude India's month-long tour of New Zealand.
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