Rishabh Pant declared fit, leaves for New Zealand to join Test squad

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant left for New Zealand on Thursday, November 12, after clearing a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. In a major boost for the Shubman Gill-led Test side, Pant will be available for selection for the first Test, which begins on November 19.

Sources said that Pant A pased a series of match simulation exercises, the last of which was on November 10. He left for New Zealand on Thursday morning and is scheduled to reach the country via Singapore.

Pant had



been working hard on his rehabilitation at the CoE after a side strain, sustained during the Irani Cup in Srinagar in October, ruled him out of competitive action. He was initially named in India's A squad for the three unofficial Tests in New Zealand but was subsequently ruled out following the injury setback.

Pant had failed to clear his initial fitness test at the CoE on November 1. He was scheduled to undergo fresh assessments, including match simulations, on November 10, which he successfully completed.