Rishabh Pant is facing fitness trials before his potential inclusion in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour in New Zealand. After missing the initial fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Pant has another chance to prove he’s fit enough to join India A for their third match against New Zealand A on 7th November.
Having been sidelined since October due to a side strain incurred during the Irani Cup, Pant has been working on his recovery since October 23rd at the CoE. He’s resumed batting and wicketkeeping, aiming to convince the medical team of his fitness.
The BCCI plans to conduct a second fitness assessment in the next couple of days. Should he pass, Pant will fly to New Zealand and potentially participate in the matches against New Zealand A. The selectors had included him in both India A and the two-Test series squads, but his participation is contingent on passing the fitness benchmark. Kumar Kushagra was called up for the first two four-day matches after Pant was declared unfit for those games, although Dhruv Jurel has been the one keeping wicket.
India is hopeful that Pant will be ready for the first Test in Wellington, supported by Jurel as an alternative, if necessary.
Elsewhere, Jasprit Bumrah has already departed for New Zealand on Sunday. Bumrah, who last played in the Asian Games final in early October, has been preparing for his return at the CoE. After training in Ahmedabad, he’s set to play in the upcoming four-day fixture for India A.
This mix of uncertainties around key players like Pant and the steady progress of Bumrah signifies a notable dynamic in India’s tour preparations.
