Rishabh Pant faces second fitness test, could join squad directly for Wellington Test
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant faces a second fitness test as he races to be ready for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand. The 28-year-old failed his first fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 1, and will undergo another evaluation 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 earlier in 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 Centre of Excellence since October 23.
The wicketkeeper-batter has reportedly resumed batting and wicketkeeping drills, 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.PANT UNLIKELY TO FEATURE IN 3RD INDIA A TEST
Pant is also unlikely to feature in India A's third unofficial Test against New Zealand A, scheduled to be played in Lincoln from November 7 to 10. Instead, the team management could give him additional time to recover and allow him to join the senior squad directly in Wellington.
"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. There will be clarity after his second fitness test," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The selectors had included Pant in India's squad for the New Zealand Tests, subject to fitness clearance. Kumar Kushagra was named as his replacement for the first two India A matches, while Dhruv Jurel has been part of the A-team setup.
The medical team is unlikely to rush Pant back into action, with his long-term fitness a priority. If he clears the second assessment, he could travel to New Zealand and join the squad in time for the opening Test.
The first Test will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to 23, while the second Test is scheduled at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.- Ends
