Kumar Kushagra has been added to India A’s squad as Rishabh Pant’s replacement for the first two multi-day matches against New Zealand A. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the change in a media advisory dated 12 October 2026, after Pant was ruled out of those matches with a left-side strain.
The 21-year-old Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter joins a group led by Dhruv Jurel, who is also listed as a wicketkeeper. India A’s first match is scheduled to begin on 24 October in Lincoln. Pant’s availability for the third match will be decided later.
What the BCCI confirmed about Kumar Kushagra
The BCCI named Kushagra as Pant’s replacement for the first and second matches of the New Zealand A tour. The updated squad lists the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter as a wicketkeeper for those two fixtures. Dhruv Jurel remains captain and is also listed as wicketkeeper in the squad.
Pant’s absence is linked to the left-side strain he sustained while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup. The BCCI said he remains under the care of its Medical Team and is recovering. It did not give a return date or confirm his availability beyond the first two matches.
When India A will face New Zealand A
The first match is scheduled for 24 October 2026 in Lincoln and is set to run until 27 October. The second multi-day match is scheduled for 31 October to 3 November in Christchurch. The tour’s third fixture is scheduled for 7 to 10 November in Lincoln.
Lincoln hosts the opening and final matches, with Christchurch hosting the second. Kushagra’s replacement role currently covers the Lincoln opener and the Christchurch game. The BCCI has not extended that announcement to the final fixture.
Why Kushagra is part of the India A pathway
ESPNcricinfo reported that Kushagra played all three matches in India A’s recent red-ball series against Australia A in Puducherry and scored a century in the opening game. The New Zealand tour offers him another opportunity within the India A setup.
Kushagra is a wicketkeeping option alongside captain Jurel. His addition is to the touring squad; the team will decide its playing combination for each match. This announcement does not name a starting XI.
What remains unresolved about Rishabh Pant
Pant remains under the BCCI Medical Team’s care after sustaining the strain while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup. No return date has been announced. The next availability decision concerns the final match, scheduled for 7–10 November in Lincoln.
For India A, the immediate task is to prepare for the 24 October opener with Jurel and Kushagra among the wicketkeeping options. For Pant, attention stays on recovery and the later medical assessment rather than an assumed comeback date.
FAQs about the Kumar Kushagra India A squad
Why was Kumar Kushagra added to India A?
He was named as Rishabh Pant’s replacement after Pant was ruled out of the first two New Zealand A matches with a left-side strain.
When does the India A tour begin?
The first multi-day match against New Zealand A is scheduled for 24–27 October 2026 in Lincoln.
Has Kushagra been selected for the senior India team?
No such senior-India selection is confirmed in the BCCI advisory. This is an India A squad replacement for the first two scheduled matches.
