Rishabh Pant (Source: AFP)In a significant development, the BCCI has announced the India A squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The announcement was made on October 6, 2026, with India A set to play three Multi-Day matches against New Zealand A. India's star batter Rishabh Pant has been included in the India A squad for New Zealand, subject to fitness.The India A tour of New Zealand 2026 will begin on October 24 in Lincoln, followed by matches in Christchurch and Lincoln.India A Tour Of New Zealand 2026 ScheduleMatchSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableFormatSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDatesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableVenueSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1st Unofficial TestSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMulti-DaySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableOct 24 – Oct 27SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableLincolnSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2nd Unofficial TestSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMulti-DaySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableOct 31 – Nov 03SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableChristchurchSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table3rd Unofficial TestSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMulti-DaySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableNov 07 – Nov 10SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableLincolnSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRishabh Pant Included Subject To Fitness In India A Squad vs NZRishabh Pant has been included in the India A squad as a wicketkeeper, but his selection is subject to fitness. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain and will also take up the wicketkeeping role.The squad features a mix of experienced players and young talent. KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar and Akash Deep are among the notable names.India A’s squad also includes Sai Sudarsan, Yash Rathod, Ravichandran Smaran, Auqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary and Mukesh Kumar.ALSO READIndia Sqaud For New Zealand T20Is Announced; Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns After 4 YearsIndia A squad vs New Zealand NamedYashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant* [WK], Dhruv Jurel [C] [WK], Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudarsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh KumarNote: * Subject to fitnessIt is important to note that India's T20I squad for New Zealand has also been named.Why Has Rishabh Pant Been Included In India A Squad With Subject To Fitness?Rishabh Pant has been suffering from a back spasm after the Irani Cup match and will now report to the CoE, with recovery expected in 10-15 days (as per the Times of India).Arani Basu @AraniBasuTOI Just in: Pant has been suffering from back spasm from the Irani Cup match. He will be reporting to CoE and is likely to be cleared in 10-15 days. The stylish Indian player was also unwell with a high fever and flu-like symptoms during the 2026–27 Irani Cup game between Rest of India and Jammu & Kashmir.Pant led the Rest of India team but could not continue on the fourth day because he was feeling ill. Because of his poor health, Pant came in at no. 8 in the third innings and made 8 runs off 18 balls. His injury concern and recent health could be a major reason he has been included in the the India A squad, subject to fitness.ALSO READIndia Women Squad For Zimbabwe ODIs Named; Harmanpreet Kaur Included
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