Rishabh Pant gets another chance to prove fitness ahead of New Zealand Tests

Rishabh Pant Faces Second Fitness Test Before India’s New Zealand Tour

Rishabh Pant will have another opportunity to demonstrate his readiness for India’s upcoming Test series in New Zealand after failing his first fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The wicketkeeper-batter has continued his rehabilitation at the facility and is expected to undergo a follow-up evaluation within the next two days.

The result could determine whether Pant receives medical clearance to travel and join India’s preparations. He was named in both India’s 16-member Test squad and the India A squad, but his participation remains conditional on being declared fit. With the opening Test against New Zealand scheduled to begin at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on November 19, the decision is an important one for the player and the team’s planning.

Second assessment could shape Pant’s return

Pant has been based at the CoE since October 23, where he has reportedly resumed batting and wicketkeeping drills. A second fitness test would give the BCCI medical staff an opportunity to assess how he is responding to rehabilitation and whether he can meet the demands of competitive cricket.

If he passes, Pant could join India A for the third unofficial four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln, scheduled to start on November 7. The fixture would provide valuable match practice before the senior team’s Test assignment. It would also allow selectors and support staff to observe his movement, workload and wicketkeeping in a competitive setting rather than relying solely on training sessions.

India A are using the three-match series as preparation for the tour, with the first two games taking place without Pant. The final match may therefore become a significant step in his comeback, although a successful fitness test would not necessarily guarantee selection for the senior team’s opening Test. The medical team will need to weigh his recovery against the risks of a quick return.

Recent domestic appearances interrupted by illness

Pant’s latest spell away from action followed his appearance in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar in early October. He made 10 and 8 in a match India won by 167 runs, but did not take the field on the final day after developing a fever. He later missed Delhi’s opening fixture of the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy season.

His absence from India A’s first two matches was also linked to his ongoing recovery. After Pant was ruled out of those fixtures, the selectors added uncapped wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra to the squad. Kushagra did not play in either game, however, with captain Dhruv Jurel taking responsibility behind the stumps.

The situation illustrates the challenge of managing a player’s return when fitness, match readiness and long-term availability all matter. Pant’s aggressive batting and ability to change the tempo of a Test innings make him a major asset, but the team will want confidence that he can handle a full match without aggravating the issue.

Jasprit Bumrah expected to play India A’s final match

India’s preparations are also set to include Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to travel to New Zealand on Sunday and feature in the third four-day match for India A. The fast bowler completed his ready-for-play routine at the CoE last week after training and bowling in Ahmedabad, where he is based.

Bumrah’s appearance would offer him a chance to return to competitive cricket before India’s upcoming international commitments. For a fast bowler, match conditions provide a different test from practice: they reveal how the body responds to repeated spells, recovery between sessions and the demands of a multi-day game.

His involvement could also strengthen India A’s bowling attack for the Lincoln fixture. If Pant is cleared to join the side as well, the match could serve as a useful rehearsal for two key members of the senior team, though their workloads are likely to be carefully managed.

A history of injuries adds to the cautious approach

Pant has experienced several setbacks since returning to competitive cricket after a lengthy layoff following a serious car accident. In July 2025, he fractured a toe during the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Manchester. An inside edge from a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes struck his right foot, forcing Pant to retire hurt on 37 and leave the field on a buggy.

Despite the pain, he later returned to bat, but the injury ruled him out of the series finale at The Oval. He also missed the subsequent Test series against the West Indies and the white-ball portion of India’s Australia tour while recovering.

There have been other painful moments. During an IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a Josh Hazlewood bouncer struck Pant and forced him to retire hurt. On India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, a delivery from Lahiru Kumara hit his left forearm as he attempted a pull shot. Pant retired hurt on three, then returned the following morning to score a vital 63.

What the fitness decision means for India

India’s immediate prediction for Pant’s availability will depend on the next medical assessment, rather than his squad selection alone. Passing the test could open the door to travel and a possible appearance for India A, while a delay would give the medical staff more time to protect his recovery ahead of a demanding Test series.

For the selectors, the central question is not simply whether Pant can bat in the nets, but whether he can sustain the physical demands of batting, keeping wicket and fielding over several days. His attacking style and experience make him a potential difference-maker, yet the team has reason to avoid rushing him back before he is fully prepared.

With the Wellington Test approaching, the second fitness test is likely to provide a clearer indication of India’s plans. Pant’s progress at the CoE, Bumrah’s expected return to match action and India A’s final preparation game will all help shape the team’s readiness for New Zealand. Until medical clearance is confirmed, Pant’s participation remains uncertain—but the opportunity to take another step toward a comeback is firmly in front of him.