Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the third India A four-day fixture against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, scheduled from November 7 to 10. Pant sat out both previous unofficial four-day games in the series, and his absence now covers the entire three-match programme.

A side strain is keeping the wicketkeeper-batter at the National Cricket Academy's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Pant had been named in the India A squad for the Lincoln game but was subsequently withdrawn after failing to receive a fitness clearance. His availability for the two-Test series, with the first Test set for November 19 in Wellington and the second running from November 27 to December 1 in Christchurch, hinges on a Return to Play assessment.

Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been included in the India A squad for the Lincoln fixture to sharpen their red-ball readiness ahead of the Tests. Tilak Varma, who serves as India's T20I vice-captain, has come into the squad as Pant's replacement.

Why does Pant missing all three India A games matter?

Pant's last appearance in an India shirt came during the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August 2026. The Lincoln game had offered the most realistic window for him to log competitive red-ball time before the Wellington opener on November 19. With all three India A four-day fixtures now behind him, Pant would enter the Tests, if passed fit, having had no recent match practice in the format. His fitness status remains subject to a formal Return to Play assessment, and whether he will travel to New Zealand or continue rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is yet to be confirmed.

What is the latest on Devon Conway and the ODI series?

Alongside the red-ball build-up, the concurrent ODI series between the two nations produced a significant update from the New Zealand camp. Devon Conway sustained a concussion during a fielding drill at training on Tuesday, November 4, and was ruled out of the remaining matches in the series.

New Zealand confirmed the development the following day.

"Devon Conway has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against India after sustaining a concussion while fielding during training on Tuesday. Left-handed batter Nick Kelly, who was selected for ODIs four and five, will assemble with the squad today in Wellington to replace Conway. Matt Henry, who was involved in the fielding mishap with Conway, has been cleared of concussion," a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release stated.

India, meanwhile, had already taken a 1-0 lead by winning the first ODI in Auckland on November 5 by five wickets. The first two India A four-day games against New Zealand A had both ended in draws.

The two-Test series carries real consequence for India's standing in the World Test Championship. India last claimed a Test series victory on New Zealand soil back in 2008-09, and the upcoming fixtures represent a key opportunity to advance their WTC campaign.