Rishabh Pant is facing a second fitness test and could join the squad straight away for the Wellington Test
India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant faces a second fitness test as he races to be fit for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand. The 28-year-old failed the first fitness assessment at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 1 and will undergo further assessments in the coming days.
Pant is recovering from a side strain sustained while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar in early October. The injury forced him to miss the first two unofficial Tests between India A and New Zealand A. He has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence since 23 October.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has reportedly resumed batting and wicketkeeping practice but is yet to receive medical clearance to return to competitive cricket. His participation in the New Zealand series will depend on the outcome of the second fitness test.
Pant’s absence would be a setback for India, given his impressive record in overseas conditions. He has scored Test centuries in England, Australia and South Africa and his attacking approach makes him a valuable option in the middle order.
TROUSERS UNLIKELY NOT IN THE 3RD INDIA TEST
The trousers are also unlikely to feature in India A’s unofficial third Test against New Zealand A, to be played in Lincoln from November 7-10. Instead, the team management could give him more time to recover and allow him to join the senior team directly in Wellington.
“There is very little chance of Pant playing the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. The team management may want to give him a few days to recover and join the team for the Test series and train in Wellington. It will be clear after his second fitness test,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The selectors included Pant in India’s squad for the Tests in New Zealand, subject to fitness clearance. Kumar Kushagra was named as his replacement for India A’s first two matches, while Dhruv Jurel was part of the A-team squad.
Pant is unlikely to be rushed back into action by the medical team, with his long-term fitness the priority. If he passes the second assessment, he could travel to New Zealand and join the team in time for the opening Test.
The first Test will be played at Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to 23, while the second Test is scheduled to be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
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