Rishabh Pant’s Test fitness for November 9; The CoE informs the team leadership

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant will undergo a match simulation test at the Center of Excellence (CoE) on November 9 before being cleared to play the two-Test series in New Zealand starting on November 19. Pant, who is recovering from a side drag injury, started his cricketing skills in the CoE.TOI understands that the Council of Europe shared an email with the Indian team management and the selection committee on Saturday evening informing them about the injury status of Pant, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Interestingly, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Sunday that he has no update on Pant.“Pant started light cricket training this weekend. The original plan was to do his simulation test this coming weekend. But it had to be postponed due to Diwali. If cleared, Pant will fly to New Zealand immediately. The team needs a player of Pant’s stature to play Tests if he clears the test on Monday,” a BCCI source told TOI.It is also learned that Rana, who has been selected in India’s ‘A’ squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha from November 20, is expected to be released from the CoE on Tuesday.

Pant facilitates DDCA domestic availability

TOI also understands that Pant has told Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley that he will be available for the next homework assignment. “On Monday, Pant informed Jaitley of his availability for the domestic season starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14, followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He said he was considering a trip to New Zealand. But if he doesn’t happen to be cleared for the Tests, he will play the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,” TOIDD told CA.