Rishabh Pant Likely To Join India’s Test Squad In New Zealand On November 12

India's Test team is set to receive a major boost as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to get fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) and join the squad in New Zealand on November 12.

The 29-year-old is currently undergoing two rounds of match simulation drills at the CoE. After completing the first session on Tuesday, he is scheduled to participate in another round on Wednesday. If he successfully clears both assessments, he is expected to leave for Wellington on Thursday.

"Pant is completely fit. He is undergoing the match simulation drills at the CoE today and there is one round scheduled for tomorrow. Upon successful completion of both rounds, Pant will then leave for Wellington on November 12," a BCCI source told PTI.

Pant sustained a left-side strain while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in October. He subsequently underwent rehabilitation at the CoE in Bengaluru and was initially included in the India A squad for the unofficial Test series against New Zealand A, subject to fitness clearance.

However, he did not receive the required Return To Play (RTP) certificate and missed all three unofficial four-day matches. Kumar Kushagra was brought in as his replacement for the first two fixtures. Pant is now expected to join the senior team directly without recent competitive red-ball match practice.

India will play a two-Test series against New Zealand, with the opening match scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23, followed by the second Test in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. The series is part of the World Test Championship cycle.

Pant, who has played 52 Tests, has scored eight centuries and 21 half-centuries at an average of over 43. He also brings valuable overseas experience, having scored Test centuries in Australia, England and South Africa. He was part of India's 2020 Test tour of New Zealand.

His potential return will strengthen India's wicketkeeping and batting options ahead of the challenging series.