Ishan Kishan reportedly in line for New Zealand Test spots as Rishabh Pant’s place comes under scrutiny
Reports on October 5, 2026 say Ishan Kishan is set to feature for India in the Test matches on the upcoming India vs New Zealand 2026 tour of New Zealand, a development that, according to those reports, could put Rishabh Pant’s Test spot in jeopardy.
Kishan’s rise has been rapid: after being stripped of a central contract he has become a regular match-winner in T20Is, is among the first-choice players in India’s T20I setup and is the no. 1-ranked T20I batter, while also beginning to make an impact in ODIs. He has limited exposure in the longest format—making his Test debut against West Indies in July 2023 and appearing in two matches—but recent domestic form has brought him back into contention for Tests. India are currently hosting West Indies for eight white-ball matches, with the five-match T20I series due to begin on Tuesday, and will then travel to New Zealand for a multi-format tour comprising five T20Is, two Tests and five ODIs; the selection committee led by Pragyan Ohja is reported to be finalising squads within the next 48 hours.
Kishan’s case for a Test recall rests largely on his performances in the Duleep Trophy, where he captained East Zone to the title by beating South Zone and scored 270 off 334 in the first innings. He finished the tournament as the leading scorer with 409 runs, and a Times of India report cited those numbers as placing him in discussions for a Test berth on the New Zealand tour.
Scheduling conflicts could affect where Kishan is allocated during the tour: a clash between India’s ODI assignments and the India A programme in New Zealand may prevent him from featuring for India A. That overlap has prompted reports that Dhurv Jurel and Kumar Kushagra could keep the wicketkeeping duties for India A in New Zealand if Kishan is retained with the senior side.
India A and New Zealand A are scheduled to play three unofficial Tests starting on October 24 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, and the itinerary is expected to be used to prepare players for New Zealand conditions. Reports name Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal among those who are expected to play at least one of the India A fixtures.
The selectors’ imminent announcements will determine whether Kishan is included in India’s Test XI for the New Zealand series and whether Pant retains his spot; the overlapping senior and A-team programmes and the India A versus New Zealand A matches beginning on October 24 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, will provide opportunities for players to adapt to New Zealand conditions.