Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has reportedly asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow him to play for India A during the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Pant wants valuable red-ball game time to prepare for the challenging conditions ahead of the Test series.
The India A side will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A before the senior team begins its two-match Test series. Notably, the New Zealand tour will also include white-ball assignments, making workload management and player fitness important factors for the selectors.
Rishabh Pant recently dealt with fitness issues during the domestic red-ball season. He didn't field on the final day of the Irani Cup after suffering a high fever and was then ruled out of Delhi's opening Ranji Trophy match against Bengal because of a minor side strain.
With India set to tour New Zealand from October 22 to December 1, Pant wants to use the India A matches to adjust to overseas conditions. India A will play three four-day unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.
According to a report from sports journalist Rohit Juglan, Pant has already approached the team management about playing at least two India A matches in New Zealand.
“Rishabh Pant want to play atleast a couple of games with India A in NZ - He has already requested for this,” Rohit Juglan from RevSportz wrote on X.
Rishabh Pant want to play atleast a couple of games with India A in NZ - He has already requested for this
— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) October 5, 2026Pant has recently been left out of India's white-ball plans but remains an important option in Test cricket. Regular red-ball cricket in New Zealand could help him regain his rhythm while also allowing the team management to assess his fitness.
Rishabh Pant Maintains Strong Test Record
Rishabh Pant will enter the New Zealand assignment after producing several strong performances in recent Test cricket. He scored 63 against Sri Lanka in Colombo after making 39 and 66 in the Test in Galle.
Pant also scored 81 off 121 balls against Afghanistan in June 2026. Across his last four Test innings, he has accumulated 249 runs at an average of 62.30 and a strike rate of 73.00.
Since his Test debut, Rishabh Pant has established himself as one of India's most aggressive middle-order batters. He has scored 3,725 runs in 52 Tests at an average of 43.82, including eight centuries and 21 fifties. He has also taken 166 catches and completed 18 stumpings.
Pragyan Ojha Set To Lead India Selection Process
The BCCI has not yet announced the squads for India's New Zealand tour. Interim chief selector Pragyan Ojha currently heads the four-member national selection committee and is expected to play a key role in finalizing the squads later this week.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also been involved in discussions with Ojha during India's ongoing white-ball assignments. The selectors will have to consider player workloads, fitness, and squad combinations before finalizing the 45-day multi-format tour.
The fast-bowling department will also require attention following Prasidh Krishna's hamstring injury during the second ODI against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Bengal pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep strengthened their Test claims after taking a combined 14 wickets in the recent Irani Cup match.
India A will play three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A from October 24 to November 10 in Lincoln and Christchurch. The Men in Blue will play two Tests against New Zealand, with the first in Wellington from November 19-23 and the second in Christchurch from November 27-December 1.
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