Rishabh Pant to undergo second fitness test for New Zealand tour
The wicketkeeper-batter failed an initial assessment at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will undergo a second fitness assessment within the next two days, according to reports from ANI and Bhaskar English. Pant failed to pass his first fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Pant has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE since October 23 after sustaining a side strain during the Irani Cup in early October. He has started practicing wicketkeeping and batting as part of his recovery process.
If cleared to play, Pant may join the India A squad for the third four-day match against New Zealand A, which begins on November 7 in Lincoln. This match is intended to prepare players for the two-Test series against New Zealand, starting on November 19 in Wellington.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Sunday that he currently has no information regarding Pant's availability for the upcoming Test series. He added that the team will share information once it is received.
In the absence of Pant, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was included in the India A squad for the first two matches, though Dhruv Jurel handled wicketkeeping duties. Jurel is also a member of the senior Test squad.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah departed for New Zealand on Sunday. Bumrah, who has not played since the Asian Games final in early October, is expected to participate in the third four-day match against New Zealand A.