Prasidh Krishna Cleared for New Zealand Tests After Fitness Tests

India's pace attack for the New Zealand tour has received a timely boost, with Prasidh Krishna cleared to return after passing the fitness tests that stood between him and a red-ball recall. The seamer had been named in India's squad for the first three one-day internationals against New Zealand subject to clearance, but pulled out on October 30, with Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi taking his place for the five-match series now under way at Eden Park. The clearance, given by the medical team at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence after a second block of match simulations, puts Prasidh back in the frame for the Tests that follow the white-ball leg. His first assignment is expected to be the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln from November 7 to 10, a chance to prove his readiness in match conditions. The stakes are high. India sit fifth in the World Test Championship standings, and the two Tests in New Zealand — Wellington from November 19 to 23 and Christchurch from November 27 to December 1 — come against opponents who swept India 3-0 at home in 2024. With Shubman Gill leading a 16-man squad and a pace group featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, a fit Prasidh adds depth and height to an attack that will need both on New Zealand pitches.