Prasidh Krishna flies to New Zealand after BCCI CoE fitness clearance
Synopsis
India's pace crisis ahead of the New Zealand Tests just got a reprieve — Prasidh Krishna has been cleared fit and has already left for New Zealand after passing match-simulation tests at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. With Bumrah rested, Rana injured, and Siraj set to leave the ODI squad early, Prasidh's availability could be the difference in India's WTC fourth-place battle.
Key Takeaways
Prasidh Krishna has received fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and has departed for New Zealand .
He was put through match-simulation sessions on 1 and 2 November before being cleared.
Prasidh is set to play for India A against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln from 7 November .
He sustained a hamstring injury in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on 30 September .
Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the ODI series, and Harshit Rana is ruled out with a left quadriceps strain .
India are fourth in the World Test Championship standings, making the New Zealand Tests critical.
Indian fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has departed for New Zealand after receiving fitness clearance from the medical team at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, giving India's stretched pace attack a timely boost ahead of the two-Test series.
Fitness Tests and Clearance
Prasidh was put through match-simulation sessions on 1 and 2 November before being cleared to travel. 'After getting fit, Prasidh Krishna was to leave for New Zealand late tonight or early tomorrow morning. But he's already gone from India to reach New Zealand in time,' a source tracking the development said on Tuesday.
The tall right-arm pacer had sustained a hamstring injury while bowling in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on 30 September. He was deliberately kept out of the first three matches of India's five-game ODI series against New Zealand — which began at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday — to allow the injury to heal and to gradually build up his bowling load ahead of the Tests.
India A Comeback Planned for Lincoln
Prasidh is now set to feature for India A in the third red-ball match against New Zealand A, scheduled at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln from 7 November. The game is expected to give him competitive overs in New Zealand conditions before the Test series gets underway, with matches in Wellington and Christchurch.
India's Pace Attack Under Pressure
The clearance arrives at a critical juncture for the Indian camp. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the entire ODI series, with the management preserving him for both Tests. Harshit Rana, the seam-bowling all-rounder, has been ruled out of the series altogether due to a left quadriceps strain; he is set to return via India A games at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha later this month.
Mohammed Siraj is expected to leave the ODI squad after the first three games to prepare for the Tests. That will leave India with a relatively inexperienced attack — led by Arshdeep Singh (18 ODIs) — for the final two 50-over fixtures. Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, and Yash Thakur collectively account for just 11 ODI appearances between them.
World Test Championship Implications
The Tests in New Zealand carry significant weight for India in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently sit fourth, behind New Zealand, defending champions South Africa, and Australia. A fit and in-form Prasidh could prove decisive in conditions that traditionally favour pace and seam movement — making his timely arrival all the more important for India's WTC aspirations.
Point of View
Rana out, and Siraj leaving the tour midway, India are effectively sending a second-string attack for the final ODIs — and hoping Prasidh can hold the Test XI together in seam-friendly New Zealand conditions. The WTC race adds real stakes: fourth place is not comfortable, and India can ill afford to go to Wellington under-prepared on the pace front. The real question the BCCI should be answering is why the injury conveyor belt keeps running despite the CoE's existence.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Prasidh Krishna not available for the ODI series against New Zealand?
Prasidh sustained a hamstring injury while bowling in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on 30 September. He was kept out of the first three ODIs to allow adequate healing time and to build up his bowling load before the two Tests.
When will Prasidh Krishna play his first match after returning from injury?
Prasidh is expected to play for India A in the third red-ball match against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, starting 7 November. This match will serve as competitive preparation ahead of the Test series.
Who else is unavailable for India's tour of New Zealand?
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the entire ODI series, while Harshit Rana was ruled out due to a left quadriceps strain. Mohammed Siraj is expected to depart the ODI squad after the first three games to prepare for the Tests.
What are the World Test Championship implications of India's New Zealand Tests?
India currently stand fourth in the World Test Championship standings, behind New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. A strong result in the two Tests — in Wellington and Christchurch — is important for India's hopes of qualifying for the WTC final.
How experienced is India's remaining ODI pace attack without Bumrah, Rana, and Prasidh?
Arshdeep Singh, who has played 18 ODIs, is set to lead the attack for the last two matches. Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, and Yash Thakur collectively have just 11 ODI appearances between them, making it a relatively inexperienced unit.
