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Rishabh Pant ruled out of first two India A vs New Zealand unofficial Tests

India wicketkeeper-batter **Rishabh Pant** has been ruled out of the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, with his availability for the series’ final match still under review. The decision follows a left-side strain he suffered while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup, where he managed just 18 runs against Jammu and Kashmir.

The BCCI confirmed Pant is recovering under medical supervision, while **Kumar Kushagra** has been named as his replacement for the first two matches in Lincoln and Christchurch. The three-match series begins October 24 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, with the third Test returning to Lincoln’s Hagley Oval.

India A’s updated squad includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel as captain, among others.

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