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Good news and a crucial boost for India’s pace resources, as right-arm fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been declared fully fit by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). The 30-year-old is expected to fly to New Zealand shortly and could feature in the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A. The clearance follows intensive simulation tests conducted over the past two days at the CoE in Bengaluru.
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Medical staff confirmed that Krishna has completed his Return to Play protocols and is available across all formats. Officials have indicated that he may take the earliest available flight in a bid to be ready for the four-day match beginning around 7 November. Krishna had been recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained during India’s home ODI series against the West Indies.
Prasidh Krishna declared fit for all formats, set to join India A in New Zealand
According to a report in Cricbuzz. He has been declared fit for the two-Test series against New Zealand. Krishna bowled only five overs in the second ODI in Guwahati on 30 September before being withdrawn as a precaution. Subsequent assessments confirmed the injury, prompting a cautious rehabilitation programme at the CoE. Earlier last week, the BCCI announced that Krishna would miss the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on 4 November in Auckland.
A board release stated that the pacer required additional time to rebuild the necessary bowling workload. Mohammed Siraj was added to the India A squad for the second unofficial Test, while Nitish Kumar Reddy was retained for the first ODI before linking up with the A team for the final game. The decision to prioritise Krishna’s longer-term fitness reflects the team management’s focus on the two-match Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to start on 19 November in Wellington. India will be without Jasprit Bumrah for the ODIs, making the availability of other pacers particularly important. Krishna, who has shown the ability to generate bounce and maintain a probing length, is viewed as a key option in both white-ball and red-ball cricket.
The CoE, the BCCI’s high-performance hub that evolved from the earlier National Cricket Academy, has adopted a measured approach to player rehabilitation in recent seasons. Sources familiar with the process noted that Krishna’s recovery timeline was set carefully to avoid any risk of recurrence. After completing match-intensity simulations without discomfort, the medical team gave the green light for him to resume competitive action. India A’s series against New Zealand A has already provided valuable opportunities for several players to gain match practice in overseas conditions.
The final game will now potentially serve as a timely outing for Krishna ahead of the senior Test side’s campaign. Team selectors and coaching staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, have emphasised the need for pace depth, especially on New Zealand pitches that traditionally reward disciplined bowling. Krishna’s return comes at a crucial juncture for India’s bowling group. While the ODI side will proceed without him, his presence in the A team setup offers a pathway back into the Test conversation. He has previously impressed in limited-overs cricket with his ability to strike early and has steadily built his red-ball credentials.
Official confirmation of his travel plans and exact availability for the unofficial Test is expected once he reaches New Zealand. For now, the clearance marks a positive step in what has been a carefully managed recovery. Cricket followers will watch closely to see whether the Karnataka pacer can translate his fitness into match-winning performances in the coming weeks. As India balances its white-ball commitments with preparations for the red-ball challenge, the news of Prasidh Krishna’s fitness will be welcomed by the dressing room and supporters alike.
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