Rishabh Pant fitness assessment underway as India prepare for New Zealand Test series

BENGALURU — Rishabh Pant is undergoing a fitness assessment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, with the wicketkeeper-batter hoping to secure clearance for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. The assessment comes as Pant seeks to recover from a side strain that has kept him out of international action since the Sri Lanka series in late August.

If cleared, Pant is expected to fly to New Zealand and join the Indian squad ahead of the two-Test series. The first Test begins on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, with the second scheduled to be played in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.

Pant, 29, has been out of international action since the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in late August. He subsequently led Rest of India in the Irani Cup but could not complete the engagement due to fitness issues. He has since been based at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, recovering from the injury.

Despite the layoff, Pant remains a key figure in the Test setup. He scored three half-centuries in his last three Tests before the injury and was among India's leading performers on their last Test tour outside the subcontinent, in England last year, where he aggregated 479 runs across four matches.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly optimistic about Pant's recovery. Sources indicate he hopes to travel to New Zealand around November 10-11. If he joins the squad, he will do so without having played a warm-up game, while most of his teammates would have had some game time ahead of the series.

Pant was initially named in the India 'A' squad for the three four-day matches against New Zealand 'A', with his participation subject to fitness. A formal clearance has not yet been issued, but the BCCI expects him to be available for the World Test Championship cycle series.

The wicketkeeper-batter has also conveyed his availability to the Delhi and District Cricket Association, stating he will be ready for the domestic season starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on November 14.