India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant faces another fitness assessment after failing his initial test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, raising uncertainty over his availability for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand.
The 28-year-old, who has been recovering from a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in October, failed to clear his fitness assessment on Sunday, November 1. He is expected to undergo another evaluation in the coming days before a decision is taken on his return to competitive cricket.
Pant was included in India's squad for the New Zealand Tests, subject to fitness clearance. However, his recovery has taken longer than anticipated, and the team management is considering allowing him additional time before joining the senior squad directly in Wellington.
India will begin the Test series against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19, with the second match scheduled in Christchurch from November 27.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป
Pant suffered the injury while captaining Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar earlier in October.
He subsequently reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on October 23 and has been undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the medical team.
Although the wicketkeeper-batter has resumed batting and wicketkeeping drills, he has yet to receive the medical clearance necessary to participate in competitive matches.
The upcoming assessment will determine whether he is ready to travel to New Zealand and resume training with the senior team.
With the opening Test scheduled for November 19, Pant still has time to complete his recovery, although the selectors and team management are awaiting a definitive update on his fitness.
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ๐น๐
Pant is now unlikely to feature in India A's third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, scheduled to take place in Lincoln from November 7 to 10.
The match was initially viewed as an opportunity for the wicketkeeper-batter to regain match fitness before the senior Test series. However, the team management may prefer to avoid rushing his return.
A BCCI source told PTI that there was little chance of Pant participating in the third unofficial Test and that he could instead join the senior squad directly.
"There is very little chance that Pant will play the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. The team management might want to give him a few days more to recover and join the team for the Test series and train in Wellington," the source said.
The source added that greater clarity would emerge following Pant's second fitness assessment.
Other reports have suggested that Pant could still feature in the India A match if he receives timely medical clearance, although his participation remains uncertain.
๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐๐ฝ
Pant's injury had already ruled him out of the first two unofficial Tests between India A and New Zealand A.
Following his absence, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was brought into the India A squad as a replacement for those matches.
Dhruv Jurel, who has been part of the India A setup, is also included in the senior squad for the New Zealand Tests and provides India with an alternative wicketkeeping option if Pant is unable to recover in time.
Pant's availability remains significant for India's batting plans, particularly because of his record in overseas Test cricket.
The left-handed batter has scored Test centuries in England, Australia and South Africa, establishing himself as an important middle-order player in challenging conditions.
His aggressive batting and wicketkeeping experience make him a valuable member of the Test side, but the medical team's clearance will determine whether he can take part in the New Zealand assignment.
๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Sunday that he did not have any information about Pant's availability for the upcoming Test series.
Speaking after India's 3-2 victory in the five-match T20 International series against New Zealand, Gambhir indicated that an update would be provided once the team received clarity.
"At the moment I have no information, and once I get it, we'll share it with you," he said.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has travelled to New Zealand and is expected to participate in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A as part of his preparations for the senior series.
For Pant, the immediate priority remains clearing the second fitness assessment and securing medical approval to return to international cricket.
The outcome will determine whether he joins India directly in Wellington or faces a further delay in his comeback.