Bumrah and Pant likely to play for India A in third unofficial Test against New Zealand A

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is expected to feature in the third match of the unofficial Test series between India A and New Zealand A scheduled from November 7 to 10 in Lincoln. It is likely Bumrah will be joined by Rishabh Pant in the same match subject to the wicketkeeper-batter getting a fitness clearance from the BCCI medical staff.

Both Pant and Bumrah are in India's squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will be played in Wellington (November 19-23) and Christchurch (November 27-December 1). Cricinfo has learned that both Bumrah and Pant are currently training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. While Pant reached the CoE on Friday, Bumrah arrived on Monday.

Bumrah's CoE visit is to fulfil the obligatory return-to-play conditions for all players ahead of any series before he takes the flight for New Zealand on November 1. Bumrah last played during the Asian Games in Japan, where India won the gold medal in early October. While the selectors rested him for the white-ball series against West Indies at home, and the T20I and ODI legs of the ongoing New Zealand tour, Bumrah is understood to be training in Ahmedabad, where he resides.

Pant is recovering from the side strain he suffered during the Irani Cup, where he led Rest of India to victory against Jammu & Kashmir in the first week of October. The injury ruled Pant out from playing for Delhi in the first round of the Ranji Trophy as well as the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.

It is learned Pant has started light training at the CoE, including batting drills, though he hasn't begun keeping yet. The selectors have named Jharkhand's Kumar Kushagra as Pant's replacement for the first two four-dayers against New Zealand A. Kushagra was last week named as a back-up for Ishan Kishan in the ongoing T20I series after Kishan, his Jharkhand captain, suffered a right adductor strain.

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