Prasidh Krishna cleared to play in India's New Zealand Test series

On November 3, 2026, Prasidh Krishna was cleared by medical staff to return to action and is set to be available for India's two-Test series in New Zealand, which begins on November 19. The clearance restores an additional pace option to India's red-ball squad ahead of the tour.

Prasidh Krishna, the Karnataka fast bowler, had been initially named in India's squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand subject to fitness clearance. He was subsequently ruled out of the five-match ODI series, with Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi brought into the squad. The first ODI of that series will get underway on November 4 in Auckland.

Krishna underwent match simulations at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence on October 22 and 24 and then completed another round on November 1 and 2. He has since received clearance from the medical team, paving the way for his return after more than a month on the sidelines. The medical sign-off follows those staged fitness assessments.

Prasidh sustained a left hamstring injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30. He had bowled just five overs before walking off the field and has not played competitive cricket since. The injury kept him out of competitive action through the subsequent rehabilitation period.

The 30-year-old is expected to travel to New Zealand to feature in the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A, scheduled to begin in Lincoln on November 7. Team management is understood to be keen on having him available for the two-Test series that starts on November 19. His availability would add depth to the touring pace contingent.

Jasprit Bumrah is set to return for the Test series after being rested from the ODIs, and Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj and Akash Deep are also part of the Test squad. For the ongoing ODI series, India's fast-bowling resources have included Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, with Yash Thakur set to join the squad for the final two matches.

The two-Test series against New Zealand is an important assignment for India in the World Test Championship cycle. The first Test will be played in Wellington from November 19, followed by the second in Christchurch from November 27.