Rishabh Pant has reportedly asked the BCCI to let him play for India A during the upcoming tour of New Zealand, seeking red-ball match practice before the two-match Test series.

According to sports journalist Rohit Juglan, Pant has requested at least two India A matches to adjust to New Zealand conditions. The India A side will play three four-day fixtures against New Zealand A before the senior team's Test series. The tour runs from October 22 to December 1 and also includes white-ball assignments.

Pant missed fielding on the final day of the Irani Cup with a high fever and then sat out Delhi's opening Ranji Trophy match against Bengal with a minor side strain. He has also been left out of India's white-ball plans but remains central to the Test side.

Other Test regulars may join him. Reports say KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are expected to feature in at least one four-day game, while Jasprit Bumrah's workload is being managed carefully. The selection meeting was reportedly delayed pending a fitness report on Prasidh Krishna.

Reporting based on: cricketaddictor.com, sportswirelive.com, www.sportstiger.com.