India A’s Rishabh Pant is the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A

Rishabh Pant’s wait to return to competitive cricket continues. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been ruled out of India A’s third and final unofficial Test against New Zealand A, starting on November 7 in Lincoln, as a precautionary measure. With the first Test against New Zealand scheduled to begin on November 19 in Wellington, his availability for the series is now a concern for the Indian team management.

Pant has resumed skill training and is said to be pain-free. However, it is still unclear when he will be ready to return to competitive cricket.

“Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A as a precautionary measure. Although Pant has resumed skill training and is pain-free, there is still no confirmed timetable for his return to competitive cricket,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Pant was expected to feature in India A matches to get some valuable time in the middle ahead of the senior team’s two-Test series against New Zealand. However, he will now miss all three unofficial Tests on the tour.

The wicket-keeper batsman also missed the first two matches after suffering a left side strain during the Irani Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) subsequently named 21-year-old Jharkhand wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra as his replacement.

HOW DID PANT SUSTAIN INJURY?

Pant picked up the injury while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup. He reportedly experienced discomfort in his left side while attempting a sweep during the first innings.

Despite the problem, he returned to bat at No. 8 in the second innings. Pant also battled flu symptoms and did not keep wickets during Jammu and Kashmir’s chase.

He is recuperating under the supervision of the BCCI medical team. While his return to skills training is a positive sign, team management is unwilling to take any chances with his fitness.

Pant’s return-to-play timeline is expected to become clearer after he completes three to four skills sessions. His progress during these lessons will determine when he can return to competitive cricket.

DHURV JUREL IS A STRONG CASE

Pant’s absence from the India A game gives him little opportunity to gain match practice ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. He is also targeting Dhruv Jurel, who has made a strong case for a place in the playing XI.

Jurel scored a century for India A in the first innings of the ongoing second unofficial test against New Zealand A in Christchurch. His performance gave selectors and the team management another option to consider if Pant is not fit in time.

India will open the two-match Test series in Wellington on November 19, with the second Test to follow. Pant’s importance to the red ball is well established but the team management will not want to risk his fitness by rushing him back.

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