India A's wicket‑keeper Rishabh Pant remains sidelined with a left‑side strain, ruling him out of the first two unofficial four‑day matches against New Zealand A. Kumar Kushagra has been drafted in as his substitute, with the series set to begin on 24 October and comprising three multi‑day games.
Captain Dhruv Jurel will lead the India A side, which blends experienced talent with the newcomers. While Pant continues his recovery, team officials note he may be available for the third unofficial Test, should his fitness improve before that fixture.