Key points
- Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been added to India A’s squad for the third and final four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln, starting November 7.
- The match is a red-ball preparation opportunity ahead of India’s two-Test series against New Zealand, with the first Test scheduled in Wellington from November 19.
- Bumrah has not played a Test or first-class match since the home series against South Africa in November 2025 and was kept out of the ongoing ODI series for workload management.
- Jadeja joined the tour after playing two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra, taking seven wickets and scoring a century.
- Rishabh Pant is set to miss the Lincoln fixture while recovering from a side strain at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
- Tilak Varma has joined the India A squad as Pant’s replacement, while Dhruv Jurel continues as captain and wicketkeeper.
- The first two India A versus New Zealand A four-day matches ended in draws.
Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are set to get valuable red-ball match practice when India A take on New Zealand A in the third and final four-day fixture at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, beginning Saturday, November 7. The match is an important part of India’s preparation for the senior team’s two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins in Wellington on November 19.
The two senior players have been added to the India A group for the final game, alongside fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. India have kept Bumrah out of the ongoing five-match ODI series as part of workload management, with the focus on preparing him for the longer format. Jadeja arrives after featuring in two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra.
Bumrah’s return to first-class cricket in focus
Bumrah’s participation will be closely watched as he builds towards the Test series. He has not played a Test or first-class match since India’s home series against South Africa in November 2025. The Lincoln fixture gives him an opportunity to bowl in competitive conditions, assess his rhythm and build match workload before joining the senior squad.
The fast bowler last represented India in the Asian Games final on October 3, according to reports on the India A squad update. He was not selected for the ongoing ODI series, with the team management preserving him for the red-ball leg of the New Zealand tour. The first Test in Wellington is less than two weeks after the start of the Lincoln match.
Prasidh Krishna is also expected to feature as he returns to match action after rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. He has been cleared to play across formats, but the team management has kept his preparation focused on the Test challenge rather than the ODI series.
Jadeja brings recent Ranji form
Jadeja’s preparation has included two domestic first-class appearances for Saurashtra. He took seven wickets and scored a century across those matches before travelling to New Zealand. The all-rounder will look to carry that form into the four-day fixture and adapt to conditions in the South Island.
Jadeja’s presence gives India A an experienced spin-bowling option and a proven lower-order batter. The match also allows him to spend time in New Zealand conditions before the senior Test series, where India will need contributions from both departments.
The first two matches between India A and New Zealand A ended in draws. In the previous game at Hagley Oval, Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to form with an unbeaten 155. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel have also been among the leading run-scorers in the series.
Pant misses final fixture as India manage fitness
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to miss the Lincoln match as he continues his recovery from a side strain at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He had already missed the earlier India A fixtures, and his absence from the final game leaves his availability for the senior Test series a matter to be assessed by the medical team.
Tilak Varma has joined the India A squad as Pant’s replacement. Dhruv Jurel will continue to captain the side and is also an option behind the stumps if Pant is not cleared for the Tests. Pant’s fitness remains a separate question from the participation of Bumrah and Jadeja, whose match time is part of the planned red-ball preparation.
Final preparation before the Wellington Test
India’s two-Test series against New Zealand begins at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19, with the second Test scheduled in Christchurch from November 27. The India A match gives the senior players a final opportunity to adjust to local conditions and complete a competitive red-ball workload before the main series.
For Bumrah, the focus will be on how his body responds to bowling in a match and how much work he can complete. Jadeja will aim to build on his domestic performances, while Prasidh will look to regain full match sharpness. The final fixture is therefore a significant tune-up for India’s Test plans, even as the team continues to monitor Pant’s recovery.
Frequently asked questions
When will Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja play for India A against New Zealand A?
Bumrah and Jadeja are set to feature in the third and final four-day match between India A and New Zealand A, beginning November 7 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. The fixture is part of India’s preparation for the senior two-Test series.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah playing for India A before the New Zealand Tests?
The Lincoln match gives Bumrah a chance to build red-ball workload and test his rhythm before the first Test in Wellington on November 19. He has been kept out of the ongoing ODI series as part of workload management and has not played a first-class match since November 2025.
What is Ravindra Jadeja’s recent form before the New Zealand tour?
Jadeja joined the New Zealand tour after playing two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra. He took seven wickets and scored a century across those domestic appearances, and will use the India A fixture to prepare in local conditions.
Why is Rishabh Pant missing the final India A match?
Pant is set to miss the Lincoln fixture while recovering from a side strain at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He had also missed the previous two India A matches, and his availability for the senior Test series remains subject to medical assessment.
When does India’s Test series against New Zealand begin?
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19. The second Test will be played in Christchurch from November 27. India’s final India A four-day match in Lincoln is intended to provide red-ball preparation before the senior series.