Huge boost for Team India! Rishabh Pant to travel to New Zealand after match simulations in next few days

India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to fly to New Zealand later this week, just days ahead of the Test series opener in Wellington on November 19. Sports Tak has learned that Pant’s workload is being increased gradually at the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Bengaluru. From November 10 to 11, match simulations are planned for the southpaw. On November 12, Pant is expected to get his fitness clearance, subject to simulations and assessment. If all goes well, he will be on the flight to the island nation on November 13.

Pant has suffered a side strain during the Irani Cup clash where he led Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir. The 29-year-old was expected to join the India A side against New Zealand A for three four-day games. But he could not attain full fitness and was ruled out of the series.

As many as eight Test players featured in the third four-day game, which ended in a draw on November 10 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. Rain played spoilsport as pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna couldn’t get enough practice on their red-ball return. But the batting lineup looks ready for the series after getting runs under their belt.

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Who will keep wickets? Pant or Jurel?

Pant is expected to be fit for the Test series against New Zealand. In case he does not get clearance to keep wickets, Dhruv Jurel can don the wicketkeeping gloves. Leading India A, Jurel’s campaign got off to an unideal start with scores of 1 and 2. But Jurel made amends with a century in Christchurch followed by a 71-run knock in Lincoln.

Pant and Jurel have played together in a few Tests, including India's tour of Sri Lanka in August 2026. The team management would want Pant in the side, considering his ability to change the game within a session.

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Milestone awaits Pant

Pant needs 52 more runs to become the first Indian batter to complete 3,000 runs in World Test Championship (WTC) history. From 42 Tests, he has 2,948 runs from 74 innings at an average of 42.11, including six tons and 18 half-centuries. 

He is closely followed by captain Shubman Gill, who has 2,917 runs from 42 Tests.

India’s Test squad vs New Zealand -

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

When will New Zealand announce their Test squad?

New Zealand are currently dealing with injuries to their key players. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board is expected to announce the Test squad later this week.

India vs New Zealand Test series schedule 

WTC 2025-27 standings -

The two-Test series will be crucial to the revival of India's chances of reaching the WTC 2025-27 final. Currently, India are in the fourth position with a win percentage of 51.52. Meanwhile, following South Africa's 2-1 series win over Australia, the Temba Bavuma-led Proteas side has moved to the second spot. They are followed by Pat Cummins' Australia. The top spot is currently occupied by New Zealand with 72.22 win percentage.

After the New Zealand tour, India's last Test series is at home. They will host Australia for a five-Test series, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027.