Rishabh Pant’s participation in India’s upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand remains uncertain after he failed to meet the required fitness benchmark at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 2. The wicketkeeper-batter will undergo another assessment within the next 48 hours to determine whether he is fit enough to travel to New Zealand.

Pant has been recovering from a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in early October. He reported to the Centre of Excellence on October 23 and has since followed a structured rehabilitation programme involving batting practice and wicketkeeping drills.

The selectors had included Pant in India’s Test squad for the New Zealand series, but an asterisk against his name indicated that his selection was subject to fitness clearance. He was subsequently ruled out of the first two four-day tour matches on October 12, with uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra named as cover.

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If Pant clears his next fitness assessment, the team management plans to send him to join the squad for the third four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln, beginning November 7. The fixture could provide him with an opportunity to regain match fitness before the Test series.

Rishabh Pant failed a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence on Sunday, but will get another chance to prove his fitness for the tour of New Zealand in the next two days

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India’s first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, while the second match will be played in Christchurch from November 27. With limited time remaining, Pant’s recovery will be closely monitored by the medical team. In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel has taken responsibility behind the stumps during India’s first two tour matches against New Zealand A. Jurel is also part of the senior Test squad and is the designated backup wicketkeeper for the upcoming series.

The two four-day fixtures have provided him with valuable match practice ahead of the Test assignments, particularly with Pant’s availability still uncertain. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah departed for New Zealand on Sunday and is expected to feature in the third four-day match in Lincoln. The Indian fast bowler had been away from competitive cricket since the Asian Games final in early October.

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Bumrah resumed his preparations with bowling sessions in Ahmedabad before completing his ready-for-play routine at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru last week. His return to match action will be an important development for India ahead of the two-Test series.