# Lincoln Clash Sees Tilak Varma Step In for Injured Pant as Bumrah and Jadeja Join India A > Rishabh Pant misses out on the third unofficial Test against New Zealand due to a rib injury, making way for Tilak Varma alongside returning senior stars. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-11-10 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/lincoln-men-tisare-mukabale-se-pahale-india-a-men-bara-pherabadala-tilak-varma-ki-entri-aura-pant-bahara-58846 · **Language:** English **Tags:** India A, Rishabh Pant, Tilak Varma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna Ahead of the third unofficial Test match scheduled to begin on November 7 in Lincoln, the Indian camp has witnessed significant roster adjustments. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of this crucial fixture after suffering a strain in his rib muscles. To fill the batting void, Tilak Varma has been drafted into the touring squad. Pant is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a setback that has cast serious doubt over his availability for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. ## Experienced Stars Step Up Preparations The fixture in Lincoln serves as an important platform for senior mainstays Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja to fine-tune their readiness. Spearhead Bumrah participated in rigorous practice sessions with the squad over two consecutive days to sharpen his rhythm. Meanwhile, Jadeja enters the setup on the back of impressive domestic form, having featured in two Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra. During those domestic outings, the veteran all-rounder delivered an exceptional display by claiming 7 wickets and registering a century, underscoring his physical readiness and form. ## Leadership Continuity and All-Round Depth Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel retains the captaincy of the India A side for this third contest. In the event that Rishabh Pant fails to achieve complete match fitness before the start of the two-Test series against New Zealand, Jurel is widely anticipated to take over wicketkeeping duties in the senior lineup as well. Adding further balance to the squad, fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has also linked up with the India A group, transitioning from his recent assignment with the Indian ODI setup to bolster the multi-day squad. ## Pace Unit Realignment and Injury Recoveries The pace battery receives an additional boost as Prasidh Krishna looks poised to feature in the third unofficial Test. Having successfully recovered from a hamstring injury, Krishna has cleared his fitness tests. Although granted clearance across all formats, the selection committee prioritized his long-format conditioning and opted against including him in the ODI squad. In his place, Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Aaqib Nabi earned a call-up to the ODI squad, and because of those national fifty-over commitments, Nabi remains unavailable for India A's match in Lincoln. ## What this means for you This team update directly reshapes the selection dynamics and tactical combinations for India's upcoming international Test assignments. - **Cricket Followers:** Supporters will get a direct look at senior cornerstones Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja testing their red-ball match sharpness ahead of international duties. Their performance in Lincoln will signal how effectively the key pillars have tuned their rhythm. - **Wicketkeeping Dynamics:** Rishabh Pant's fitness uncertainty opens the doorway for Dhruv Jurel to cement his starting claim in the main Test series. Jurel's leadership and glovework in Lincoln will serve as an immediate dress rehearsal for higher honours. - **Young Contenders:** Emerging talents Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy gain valuable exposure to challenging overseas conditions. Solid showings here could accelerate their pathway into broader red-ball national considerations. - **Pace Reserves:** Prasidh Krishna's return from injury offers reassuring depth to the fast-bowling unit, while Aaqib Nabi's inclusion in the ODI squad rewards domestic persistence. Fans can expect a more thoroughly tested reserve pace attack for forthcoming tours. ## Why this happened The sudden adjustments in the India A setup stem from Rishabh Pant's physical setback and the management's desire to give senior players competitive red-ball overs. - **Rishabh Pant's Rib Injury:** Pant suffered a muscle strain in his ribs that ruled him out of the Lincoln encounter. He has been directed to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for rehabilitation ahead of the upcoming international Test series. - **Match Preparation for Senior Stars:** The team management drafted Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja into India A to ensure they gain vital game time prior to the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Jadeja had already proved his readiness by taking 7 wickets and scoring a century in two Ranji Trophy games for Saurashtra. - **Workload Strategy and Pace Rotations:** Prasidh Krishna was integrated into the red-ball squad after recovering from a hamstring issue, prioritizing Test conditioning over ODI duties. Concurrently, Aaqib Nabi's drafting into the national ODI squad meant he could not be considered for this unofficial Test. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When and where is the third unofficial Test taking place? The match is scheduled to begin on November 7 in Lincoln. ### 2. Why has Rishabh Pant been ruled out of this fixture? Pant is sidelined due to a rib muscle strain and is undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. ### 3. Who was brought into the India A squad to replace Rishabh Pant? Tilak Varma was drafted into the squad as Pant's replacement. ### 4. Who will lead the India A team in Lincoln? Dhruv Jurel will continue to serve as the captain of the side. ### 5. Why are Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja playing in this match? Both senior cricketers are participating to fine-tune their readiness ahead of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. ### 6. How did Ravindra Jadeja perform in his recent Ranji Trophy outings? Playing for Saurashtra, Jadeja claimed 7 wickets and struck a century across two Ranji Trophy fixtures. ### 7. Why was Prasidh Krishna drafted for this match instead of the ODI squad? After recovering from a hamstring injury, his workload was prioritized specifically for red-ball fitness rather than limited-overs play. ### 8. Why is Aaqib Nabi unable to play in this third India A game? Nabi was selected for the senior Indian ODI squad, which makes him unavailable for the India A match. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._