Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of third India A v New Zealand A unofficial Test with viral fever

Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A on November 7, 2026, after developing a viral fever, and India A completed the match without the all-rounder.

India are touring New Zealand for five ODIs and two Test matches, with the two-match Test series scheduled to start on November 19, 2026; team management had arranged extra match practice for selected players via the unofficial fixtures between the two A teams. The all-rounder was part of that plan and the BCCI had earlier outlined his movement between squads in a formal release. The BCCI statement read: "Nitish Kumar Reddy will remain a part of the ODI squad for the first ODI against New Zealand, which will be played on November 04, 2026. Nitish will link up with the India A squad for the third and final four-day game against New Zealand A, which will help him gain match practice ahead of the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting November 19, 2026."

Reddy had been due to leave the ODI group after the opening match on November 4 to join India A for the four-day game as red-ball preparation ahead of the Tests. His viral fever prevented that move and altered the board’s planned match-practice schedule for him. India A therefore proceeded with the final four-day match without his services.

The third unofficial Test was intended to provide Reddy with extended time in the middle to prepare for the longer format, and the fixture was also seen as an opportunity to acclimatise to New Zealand conditions ahead of the international Test series. Reddy’s Test record to date stands at 10 matches and 396 runs, including a maiden century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he has taken eight wickets in the format. The original BCCI plan emphasised using the India A game as match practice for the upcoming Tests.

There has been no confirmed update on Reddy’s availability for the opening Test against New Zealand, which begins on November 19. The two-match Test series will begin on November 19, 2026.