Sport · India Bureau
Pant sidelined with injury ahead of India A's New Zealand tour
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India A's opening matches in New Zealand due to a left-side strain. The BCCI has named Kumar Kushagra as his replacement for the series.
LSN India ·
Rishabh Pant will miss India A's first two matches during the upcoming tour of New Zealand after sustaining a left-side strain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed on Monday. The injury assessment has forced the national selectors to make changes to the touring party ahead of the bilateral series.
Young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been named as Pant's replacement for the initial phase of the tour. Kushagra, who has impressed in domestic cricket, will provide backup keeping options for India A as they prepare for the multi-match engagement against their New Zealand counterparts.
The injury represents a blow to Pant's preparation as India continues to manage the workload of key players across multiple formats. The extent of Pant's recovery timeline remains under observation, with the BCCI medical team monitoring his progress closely.
India A's tour of New Zealand forms a crucial part of the development pipeline for the national team, providing competitive cricket for players competing for higher honours. The series will serve as a platform for both established and emerging talent to showcase their credentials.