Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been given another opportunity to clear his fitness test ahead of India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand after failing to pass the assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday, according to Cricinfo. He has reportedly resumed batting and wicketkeeping activities as part of his recovery. The BCCI medical team is expected to conduct another fitness assessment within the next two days to determine whether Pant is ready to travel to New Zealand. His participation in the upcoming matches remains subject to fitness clearance.
Pant, who sustained a side strain during the Irani Cup in early October, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE since October 23.
The selectors had named Pant in both the India A squad and the senior men’s squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, subject to his fitness clearance. However, he was ruled out of the first two four-day matches between India A and New Zealand A. However, Kushagra did not feature in the playing XI, with Dhruv Jurel , who also captains the side, taking up wicketkeeping duties. Jurel is also part of India’s Test squad.
If declared fit, Pant is likely to join the India A squad for the third four-day match against New Zealand A, scheduled to begin in Lincoln on November 7. The match is expected to serve as preparation ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand, with the opening Test set to begin in Wellington on November 19, the Cricinfo report added. Following his unavailability, the selectors included uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra in the India A squad for the first two matches on October 12.
Earlier, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Sunday that he had no information about the availability of injured wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. Meanwhile, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah departed for New Zealand on Sunday and is expected to feature in the third four-day match against New Zealand A. The third four-day match against New Zealand A will provide Bumrah with an opportunity to regain match fitness ahead of India’s Test assignment.
Asked about Pant’s fitness and availability during the post-match press conference following India’s 3-2 T20I series win, Gambhir said, “At the moment, I have no information, and once I get it, we’ll share it with you.
