India A to play three four-day first-class matches in Christchurch from October 24

India A will face New Zealand A in a three-match, four-day first-class series in Christchurch beginning on October 24, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Tuesday. The red-ball games form part of India’s preparation ahead of the senior team’s two-Test tour of New Zealand later in the campaign.

New Zealand Cricket included the India A fixtures when publishing the Plunket Shield schedule as the domestic competition enters its 101st season. "New Zealand’s premier first-class competition returns for its 101st season, adding to a packed rota of red ball cricket that also includes Tests against India and Sri Lanka at home, and Australia away."

The A matches are intended to help visiting players adapt to local conditions and to provide match practice for those "hoping to push for places in the national squad." New Zealand Cricket framed the trio of four-day games as part of the red-ball summer build-up.

"The domestic red ball summer will also get an injection of international class as New Zealand A host India A for three four-day matches in Christchurch starting October 24," read the statement from New Zealand cricket.

India have previously used the A-team pathway to prepare players for international tours; ahead of the recent Sri Lanka trip, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Gurnoor Brar gained competitive experience with the A setup before the senior squad arrived.

The overall India tour of New Zealand includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests to be played across October and November.

India’s Test series will begin in Wellington from November 19 to 23, with the second Test scheduled in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1; India currently sit fifth in the World Test Championship standings while New Zealand occupy third place.