Lincoln, Nov. 5 -- Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to miss the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A, scheduled to begin in Lincoln on Saturday, as he continues to recover from a side strain, Cricinfo reported.

Pant's absence from the India A fixture casts doubt over his availability for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, beginning November 19. Pant is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, among India's Test specialists, pacer Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Ravindra Jadeja are expected to play the third India A match as part of their preparations for the Test series. Meanwhile, T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has joined the India A squad in Linc...