Rishabh Pant faces second fitness test before India's New Zealand Test series
Synopsis
Rishabh Pant failed a BCCI fitness test on Sunday and now faces a second assessment that will decide whether he flies to New Zealand for the Test series starting 19 November. With India's World Test Championship final prospects tied to this series, the pressure on Pant — and on the selectors — is anything but routine.
Key Takeaways
Rishabh Pant failed a BCCI fitness test on Sunday and will take a second test within days.
He sustained a side strain during the Irani Cup and has been at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for around 10 days .
If cleared, Pant will join India A for the third multi-day match against New Zealand A beginning 7 November in Lincoln .
Dhruv Jurel kept wickets for India A in the first two matches; Kumar Kushagra was named replacement but did not play.
Jasprit Bumrah has already left for New Zealand and is expected to play the third India A match ahead of the Tests on 19 November .
Both Pant and Bumrah are central to India's World Test Championship final qualification chances.
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to undergo a second fitness assessment within days after failing an initial test on Sunday, with his participation in the upcoming India vs New Zealand Test series still hanging in the balance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has scheduled the follow-up test to determine whether Pant can travel to New Zealand in time for the preparatory matches.
The Injury and What Led Here
Pant sustained a side strain while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir. He has since been rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for approximately 10 days. The failed fitness test on Sunday means he must clear a fresh evaluation before being given travel clearance.
According to a Cricinfo report, if Pant clears the second test, he would join the India A squad for the third multi-day match against New Zealand A, beginning on 7 November in Lincoln. The match would serve as his first competitive outing since the injury and a crucial warm-up before the full Test series.
India A Cover and Captaincy Arrangements
Pant had originally been named in India A's squad for all three four-day matches against New Zealand A, which were designed as preparatory games ahead of the senior Test assignment. His fitness-dependent availability, however, saw him ruled out of the first two fixtures.
Kumar Kushagra was named as his replacement in the squad, while Dhruv Jurel, who captains the India A side, handled wicketkeeping duties in both matches. Notably, Kushagra did not feature in either game.
Pant's Place in the Full Test Squad
The two-match Test series against New Zealand — popularly called the Blackcaps — is scheduled to begin on 19 November. Pant has been named in India's Test squad, but his inclusion remains conditional on fitness clearance. The series carries significant weight for India's qualification prospects for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, making every selection decision critical.
Bumrah Heads to New Zealand, Rested After White-Ball Run
Meanwhile, India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has already departed for New Zealand and is reportedly set to feature in the third multi-day game against New Zealand A as he builds match readiness. The BCCI deliberately rested Bumrah across India's white-ball series against the West Indies at home, and the subsequent T20I and ODI series against New Zealand, to safeguard him for the Tests.
Bumrah's last international appearance was in the Asian Games final, where India fielded a full-strength side. He had been training at the BCCI CoE last week before resuming a ready-for-play routine ahead of his departure. His management reflects the selectors' view that a fit Bumrah is central to India's WTC final ambitions.
What Happens Next
All eyes now rest on Pant's second fitness test result. A clearance would allow him to integrate into the India A setup in Lincoln from 7 November before joining the senior squad for the Tests on 19 November. A second failure, however, could force a rethink on his Test squad inclusion and put Jurel in line for a more prominent role behind the stumps.
Point of View
Or whether the pressure of a WTC-defining series pushes him onto the field before he is truly ready, risking a longer lay-off down the line.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rishabh Pant fail his BCCI fitness test?
Pant failed his fitness test on Sunday due to a side strain he sustained during the Irani Cup match while leading Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir. He has been recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for approximately 10 days but was not yet cleared to play.
When will Rishabh Pant take his second fitness test?
According to a Cricinfo report, Pant is set to take his second fitness test within two days of the Sunday failure. A clearance would allow him to travel to New Zealand and join India A for the third multi-day match starting 7 November in Lincoln.
Is Rishabh Pant still in India's Test squad for the New Zealand series?
Yes, Pant has been named in India's Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand beginning 19 November. However, his participation remains subject to him receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI.
Who kept wickets for India A in Pant's absence?
Dhruv Jurel, the India A captain, kept wickets in both the first and second multi-day matches against New Zealand A. Kumar Kushagra was named as Pant's replacement in the squad but did not feature in either game.
Why was Jasprit Bumrah rested before the New Zealand Tests?
The BCCI deliberately rested Bumrah from India's white-ball series against the West Indies and the T20I and ODI series in New Zealand to protect him ahead of the Test series, which has direct implications for India's World Test Championship final qualification.
