India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has successfully cleared his fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and is now expected to travel to New Zealand to join the India A squad. The 30-year-old pacer has received clearance from the CoE medical team after completing simulation tests over the last two days.

Prasidh is likely to take the next available flight to New Zealand, where India A are scheduled to play the third and final unofficial four-day Test against New Zealand A, beginning November 7.

Although the pacer has already been ruled out of India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand, his fitness clearance is an important development ahead of the two-match Test series later this month.

Prasidh Krishna Clears Return-to-Play Assessment

The right-arm fast bowler underwent simulation tests on November 1 and 2 at the Bengaluru facility as part of his recovery programme. He successfully completed the required assessments, allowing the CoE medical team to clear him for a return to competitive cricket.

Prasidh had initially been included in India’s squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, subject to passing the necessary fitness tests. However, the BCCI withdrew his name on October 30, stating that he required additional time to build up his workload before returning to international cricket.

The latest clearance indicates that he has made sufficient progress in his recovery and can now resume match-related activities.

Hamstring Injury Forced Him Out of ODI Series

Prasidh sustained a hamstring injury during the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30. The injury disrupted his preparations for the New Zealand tour and raised doubts about his availability for the upcoming international assignments.

He had also undergone a match simulation on October 22 but was unable to clear the assessment at that stage. Consequently, the team management decided against rushing him back into the ODI squad.

The BCCI had indicated that Prasidh could join India A for the final unofficial Test, provided he cleared the Return to Play (RTP) assessment. That match was identified as an opportunity for him to regain match fitness and prepare for the longer format.

With the latest tests successfully completed, the pacer is now expected to get valuable red-ball game time in New Zealand.

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India Management Views Prasidh as Important for Test Series

Prasidh’s availability will be encouraging news for head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, who are understood to consider him an important part of India’s plans for the upcoming Test series.

India face New Zealand in two Tests, with the opening match scheduled to begin on November 19 and the second Test starting on November 27.

The series carries considerable importance for India’s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. With qualification for the final at stake, the team will be keen to have its key fast bowlers available.

Prasidh’s height, ability to extract bounce and effectiveness with the new ball make him a useful option in overseas conditions. His experience could be particularly valuable on New Zealand pitches, where seam movement and bounce often play an important role.

India A Match to Provide Crucial Match Practice

The third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, beginning November 7, could provide Prasidh with an important opportunity to assess his match fitness before joining the senior squad.

After spending several weeks recovering and rebuilding his bowling workload, competitive cricket will help the team management evaluate his readiness for the demands of international Test cricket.

The priority will be to ensure that he can bowl extended spells without any recurrence of the hamstring problem.

Prasidh’s fitness clearance is therefore a positive development for India ahead of a crucial Test assignment. While his return to the ODI squad was not possible, the fast bowler now has an opportunity to regain rhythm through India A and strengthen his case for the upcoming Test series.