Ahead of the India vs New Zealand series, crucial updates on the keeper-batter Rishabh Pant and the fast bowler Prasidh Krishna have arrived. According to a Dainik Jagran report, both of the injured players are working hard to get back on track for the India National Cricket Team.
Team India is scheduled to play a couple of Test matches in New Zealand during the multi-format series. Rishabh Pant remains an important cog in the team for the longest format of the game. Because of another injury, his return is now uncertain.
Injury updates on Rishabh Pant and Prasidh Krishna
Rishabh Pant suffered an injury during the Irani Cup. According to updates, he will start light skill training from next week. However, there is no confirmed timeline for his return to competitive cricket.
Pacer Prasidh Krishan is also enduring an injury that he got during the ODI series against West Indies. Because of the hamstring injury, he was ruled out of the third ODI match against West Indies. If the reports are to be believed, then a final decision about Krishna could be made after a match simulation process.
The series in New Zealand is crucial for India
The upcoming series against New Zealand is going to be very crucial for the Indian cricket team from various aspects. The series will not only help both of the teams for their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, but will also important for the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The finalists for the WTC are yet to be confirmed, and Team India is still in the race to book a place in the final. To secure a place in the final, the Shubman Gill-led team is required to win at least 6 matches out of seven. They will play a couple of Tests against New Zealand, and to stay relevant in the race for the Mace, Men in Blue will try to win both of the matches.
Rishabh Pant and Prasidh Krishna, both uncertain to play Tests vs New Zealand
BCCI named Rishabh Pant in the squad for both of the Tests, but his participation is subject to his fitness. If he could recover from the injury ahead of the Tests, then he will be available for selection in the playing eleven, but if he remains unavailable due to the injury, Pant will not be able to play any of the matches. If Rishabh Pant’s recovery takes more time than the expected timeline, then Dhruv Jurel will be there as the back-up wicketkeeper.
Prasidh Krishna’s participation in Tests also depends on his fitness. The two-Test series starts with the first Test in Wellington on November 19, 2026, followed by the second Test in Christchurch on November 27, 2026.
If Krishna remains unavailable for both matches, then the board will have to name his replacement. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Anshul Kamboj are the other fast bowlers who are in the Test team to face New Zealand. Seamers are likely to take key roles in New Zealand.
