India A vs New Zealand A: Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of First Two Matches, Dhruv Jurel To Keep Wickets

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two matches of India A's multi-day series against New Zealand A after sustaining a left-side strain during the Irani Cup, with wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra named as his replacement.

Pant, who captained Rest of India in the Irani Cup, will undergo further assessment to determine his availability for the third and final match of the series. His original selection for the New Zealand A tour was subject to fitness clearance, and his absence from the opening two games leaves India A without one of their most experienced players.

The three-match series will serve as an important preparation opportunity for several players in contention for India's Test team ahead of the senior side's two-Test assignment against New Zealand.

Dhruv Jurel to Keep Wickets in First Two Matches

With Pant unavailable, Dhruv Jurel will take over as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the opening two matches while continuing as captain of the India A side.

Kushagra has been included as an additional wicketkeeping option for the first two games. The 21-year-old has impressed in red-ball cricket, scoring two centuries in his last three first-class matches.

His recent performances include a hundred in the Duleep Trophy final and another century against the touring Australia A side in Puducherry. The call-up offers him an opportunity to strengthen his credentials as a wicketkeeper-batter at the higher level.

India A's New Zealand Tour: Schedule

The multi-day series begins in Lincoln on October 24, with the second match scheduled in Christchurch from October 31. The teams will return to Lincoln for the third and final match, starting November 7.

The tour is expected to provide valuable match practice for players looking to push for places in India's Test squad, with several established names included in the India A line-up.

India A Updated Squad

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Dhruv Jurel (captain and wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar and Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper, first and second matches).

Pant's availability for the third match will be assessed at a later date.