The odds are not in India’s favour as they look to book a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final which makes the upcoming two-Test series on New Zealand soil crucial. During the ODI series against West Indies, a plan has already been put in place. The Test-bound players who are not part of the T20I series against West Indies will gear up for the red-ball challenge by playing Ranji Trophy 2026-27 matches.
The ODI series concludes on October 3 and the T20I series will be played from October 6 to October 17. The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season kicks off on October 11. As per a report by TOI, following the meeting between the selection committee (minus Ajit Agarkar) and head coach Gautam Gambhir-led team management in Guwahati, it was decided that all senior players including captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain KL Rahul will head to their respective state teams to prepare for Test series against the Kiwis.
"The match and the number of matches they play will depend on the medical team's clearance, keeping the workload and assignments in mind. We must factor in that some players participate in two formats. Accordingly, a decision will be made, but participation will not be compromised. All senior players, including the captain, are expected to play at least one game provided there are no medical/workload concerns," an official told TOI.
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The New Zealand tour begins with five-T20I series which will be played from October 22 to November 1. It will give red-ball players enough time to play red-ball domestic cricket.
Will Bumrah play a Ranji Trophy match or turn up for India A?
Meanwhile, discussions around Jasprit Bumrah have taken place as well. Bumrah was ruled out of Sri Lanka tour due to injury and was rested for one-off Afghanistan Test as well. His previous Test appearance was against South Africa last year. The team management wants Bumrah to get some red-ball game time before the New Zealand Test series. Currently, Bumrah is in Japan for Asian Games 2026. He did not feature in the one-off T20I against Japan as well.
Currently, the team management has a few options to get Bumrah some red-ball game time. Either he can turn up for Gujarat in one of their match against Uttar Pradesh starting on October 18 before heading to New Zealand or he can turn up for India A against New Zealand A. The three-unofficial Test series against New Zealand A begins on October 24. If he turns up for India A, he'll have to miss a few T20Is as the team management wouldn't want him to miss the ODIs as they prepare for next year’s ODI World Cup.
Fit-again Akash Deep on radar
Meanwhile, the team management and selectors will keep a close eye on pacer Akash Deep who returns to action after recovering from injury. The Irani Cup clash against Jammu & Kashmir will be his first game since February 2026. Coincidentally, his last competitive cricket appearance was in a Ranji Trophy against Jammu & Kashmir as well.
Apart from Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy's progress will be monitored as well considering a fast-bowling all-rounder will be handy in New Zealand's pace-friendly conditions.