Rishabh Pant will undergo another fitness assessment after reportedly failing to clear his first test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The wicketkeeper-batter is recovering from a side strain and needs medical clearance before joining India's upcoming Test tour of New Zealand.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to undergo a second fitness test ahead of India's upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand after reportedly failing to clear his first assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Pant sustained a side strain during the Irani Cup in early October and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE since October 23. He has reportedly resumed batting and wicketkeeping activities as part of his recovery process.
According to the report, the BCCI medical team is expected to conduct another assessment within the next two days to determine whether Pant is fit to travel to New Zealand. His availability for the upcoming assignments will depend on the outcome of the fitness test.
Rishabh Pant could join India A for third New Zealand A match
If Pant receives fitness clearance, he could 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 could provide him with an opportunity to regain match fitness before the senior Indian team's two-Test series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19.
The selectors had named Pant in both the India A squad and the senior men's squad for the New Zealand assignment, subject to his fitness clearance. However, he was unavailable for the first two four-day matches between India A and New Zealand A.
Following Pant's absence, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was added to the India A squad for the first two matches on October 12. 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 senior Test squad for the New Zealand series.
Gautam Gambhir provides update on Rishabh Pant's availability
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he did not have an update on Pant's availability for the upcoming Test series when asked about the wicketkeeper-batter's fitness during Sunday's post-match press conference.
India had secured a 3-2 victory in the five-match T20I series, but Gambhir was unable to provide a definitive timeline for Pant's return. "At the moment I have no information, and once I get it, we'll share it with you," Gambhir said.
Pant's fitness will remain a key factor in India's preparations for the Test series, with the team awaiting the medical team's assessment before making a decision on his availability.
Jasprit Bumrah leaves for 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.
Bumrah was at the BCCI Centre of Excellence last week as part of his return-to-play preparations. The fast bowler had also been training and bowling in Ahmedabad, where he is based, before reporting to the CoE.
The third four-day match could provide Bumrah with valuable match practice ahead of India's Test assignment against New Zealand.
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