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BCCI likely to delay India squad selection for New Zealand tour amid key players' fitness concerns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to postpone the finalization of its ODI and Test squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, as key players continue to recover from injuries. Prasidh Krishna, a vital component of India’s pace attack, has been sidelined due to a left hamstring issue that surfaced during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, a crucial batter in the Test lineup, is dealing with a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup, delaying his return to match practice with India A. Both players have been granted three-week recovery timelines at the Centre of Excellence (CoE), with selectors prioritizing their full fitness before the tour begins on October 28, ahead of the ODI series starting November 4 and the two-match Test series from November 19.

Harshit Rana’s fitness assessment is also a critical factor in squad decisions, as the all-rounder undergoes a match simulation to determine his readiness for both formats. His inclusion could bolster India’s lower-order batting and pace resources, given his versatility as a seam-bowling all-rounder.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, another key player, is currently training at the CoE in preparation for his return to T20Is, though his role in the New Zealand tour remains uncertain pending further updates on his fitness status.

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