Pant Gets One More Fitness Test Before New Zealand Tour

One failed test has left India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant with another chance, but only a short wait. The BCCI medical team is expected to assess him again within two days. Pant, 29, strained his side during the Irani Cup in early October and failed his first fitness test on Sunday at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His next result will decide whether he can travel to New Zealand. ^1,2

That assessment follows about 10 days of recovery work at the Centre of Excellence, where Pant has resumed batting and wicketkeeping practice. He missed the first two four-day games between India A and New Zealand A. The selectors named him in both the India A and senior Test squads, subject to fitness clearance. If cleared, he could join India A for its third game, starting November 7 in Lincoln, though another report says he may go straight to the senior squad. ^1,3

The choice matters because India’s two-Test series begins in Wellington on November 19, leaving little time for Pant to get ready for matches. Coach Gautam Gambhir said Sunday he had no information about Pant’s availability. Dhruv Jurel kept wicket in India A’s first two games and is also in the senior Test squad, giving India another option if Pant cannot play. Reports differ on whether Pant might play in the final India A match, so the plan is not settled. ^2,3

Bumrah, meanwhile, has travelled to New Zealand and is expected to play that third India A game to prepare for the Tests. Pant’s next step is clearer: the BCCI medical team will conduct a second assessment within two days. Its decision will determine whether he can travel and whether he has a chance to play before the first Test. ^1,2