“I don’t have an update yet”: Gautam Gambhir shares latest update on Rishabh Pant’s availability

Rishabh Pant Injury Update: Gautam Gambhir Unsure About Wicketkeeper’s Test Availability

India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand has ended with the Men in Blue claiming a 3–2 victory. The result gave Shreyas Iyer his first series win as India captain in a SENA country—South Africa, England, New Zealand or Australia—and offered the team momentum ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.

Attention now turns to a five-match ODI series against the Black Caps, followed by a two-Test contest. With the longer-format matches carrying significant importance, India have selected separate squads for the white-ball and Test assignments. Some senior players are expected to move between the groups as the team shifts its focus to red-ball cricket.

One of the biggest questions surrounding India’s Test preparations is the fitness of Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper-batter has been named in the Test squad, but his availability remains uncertain as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained during the Irani Cup.

Gautam Gambhir Has No Fresh Update on Rishabh Pant

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was asked about Pant’s status during the post-match press conference following the T20I series. Reports had suggested that Pant could travel to New Zealand to join India A for a third unofficial Test, potentially giving him valuable match practice before the senior team’s Test series.

Gambhir, however, said he had not received a confirmed update. “I don’t have an update yet on Rishabh Pant. I will share it when I get it,” he said, according to The Times of India.

The brief response has added to the uncertainty surrounding the batter. While it does not confirm that Pant has suffered a setback, it indicates that the senior team management is still waiting for a clear assessment of his recovery and readiness. A player’s presence in a squad does not necessarily mean he has been cleared to compete, particularly when medical staff are managing a recent injury.

Will Pant Play in the First Test Against New Zealand?

At this stage, Pant’s participation in the opening Test remains a fitness-dependent decision. Reports have said he is unavailable for the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A, despite earlier expectations that he might join the group for match practice. India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly arrived in New Zealand, while Pant has not yet joined the touring contingent.

Other reports, including one from Dainik Jagran, suggest Pant has begun training as he works towards the two-Test series. That is a positive sign, but training alone does not establish that a player is ready for the physical demands of international cricket. The medical team will need to assess whether he can bat, keep wicket and move freely in the field without aggravating the problem.

Pant’s name in the squad was reportedly accompanied by an asterisk, indicating that his selection is subject to fitness. In practical terms, the final call is likely to depend on medical clearance and his progress in the days leading up to the first Test. Until the Board of Control for Cricket in India or the team management issues a formal update, any prediction about his availability should be treated as provisional.

How Pant Sustained the Injury

Pant was injured while captaining the Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar. Reports described a strain on his left side, alongside concerns involving his wrist and shoulder. He did not keep wicket after the injury and was also unable to take the field, raising immediate questions about the extent of the problem.

The Rest of India went on to win the match and the tournament, but the result did little to settle concerns about Pant’s condition. For a wicketkeeper-batter, recovery involves more than being able to bat in the nets. Keeping requires repeated squatting, quick lateral movement, sharp reactions and the ability to absorb impact—movements that can place considerable stress on the wrist, shoulder and torso.

That is why India’s medical staff may favour a cautious approach. Returning too soon could turn a manageable strain into a longer-term issue, especially with a packed international calendar ahead. A gradual return, followed by a competitive fitness test, would help the team judge whether Pant is prepared for the intensity of a Test match.

Why Pant’s Availability Matters to India

Pant’s potential absence would be significant because of his distinctive role in the Test side. He combines wicketkeeping with an aggressive batting style that can change the pace of a match, particularly when India need to counterattack or build a lead quickly. His ability to score at speed can also put pressure on opposition bowlers and fielders, making him more than a conventional lower-order batter.

His record in SENA conditions strengthens the case for his importance. Pant has scored six Test centuries in those countries, an exceptional return for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter. He is yet to score a Test hundred in New Zealand, but his performances overseas have shown that he can succeed in challenging conditions. That record makes his fitness one of the central talking points ahead of the series.

If Pant is ruled out of the first Test, India will need to decide whether to use a specialist wicketkeeper or select a batter who can also take the gloves. The choice will depend on squad composition, the conditions and the balance the selectors want in the playing XI. Whoever steps in would face the challenge of replacing both Pant’s glovework and his attacking contribution with the bat.

India’s Test Preparation Hinges on Final Fitness Checks

India’s immediate priority will be to complete the ODI series while carefully managing players ahead of the Tests. The separate squads underline the importance attached to the red-ball assignment, but Pant’s case illustrates the uncertainty that can accompany a demanding international schedule. Training reports and squad listings may offer clues, yet the decisive information will come from the medical team’s assessment.

For now, the most accurate prediction is that Pant remains a doubt rather than a confirmed starter or confirmed absentee. His return to training is encouraging, but his availability will depend on whether he receives full competitive clearance. India supporters will be watching for an official update, as Pant’s fitness could influence the team’s selection, batting approach and wicketkeeping plans for the opening Test.