Pant on course for NZ Tests; final fitness test on November 12
The keeper-bat hasn't been in action since suffering a side strain during the Irani Cup game
Rishabh Pant is expected to undergo a final fitness and simulation test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on November 12, with the India wicketkeeper-batter in contention for the two-Test series in New Zealand. Cricbuzz understands that he is likely to receive the final clearance from the CoE following the assessment.
Sources say Pant has had productive batting and wicketkeeping sessions at the CoE, where he has looked comfortable in the nets. In pictures of his batting sessions posted on social media, he appeared to be in good touch.
Pant is expected to reach New Zealand well ahead of the first Test, which begins at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 17. The second and final Test of the series will be played in Christchurch from November 27.
Pant was initially selected for the three India 'A' games preceding the two-Test series but could not feature in any of them as he had not received clearance from the CoE. He sustained a side strain during the Irani Cup match between Rest of India and Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar.
Pant, who has not featured in international cricket since the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, was subsequently withdrawn from the India 'A' squad and continued his rehabilitation at the CoE. The final clearance is expected in the next couple of days, following which he is likely to travel to New Zealand.
