Big blow as Rishabh Pant will not feature in the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A, scheduled to begin on November 7 in Lincoln. The decision comes as a precautionary measure while he continues to recover from a left-side strain, according to a report in Dainik Jagran on Sunday.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter sustained the injury in early October while captaining the Rest of India in the Irani Cup match against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. He scored modestly in that game and later battled a fever, missing the final day’s fielding. The setback forced him to sit out Delhi’s Ranji Trophy commitments and the first two four-day games of the ongoing India A tour of New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant ruled out of third unofficial Test against New Zealand amid cautious recovery
Kumar Kushagra was drafted in as his replacement for the opening matches, while Dhruv Jurel took over the captaincy of the India A side. The series has served as important preparation for several India regulars ahead of the senior team’s two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 in Wellington.
According to the aforementioned report, Pant has resumed skill training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is currently free of pain and shows no clinical symptoms related to the injury. However, medical staff have insisted that he complete three to four full practice sessions focusing on batting, wicketkeeping and overall physical readiness before any clear return-to-play timeline is set. Team management has prioritised a careful approach rather than risking a premature comeback. The report stated:
“After recovering from his injury, Pant has restarted his skill training. Currently, he is not experiencing any pain, and no clinical symptoms related to the injury are visible. However, no definite timeline has been set yet for his return to competitive cricket.”
The development also casts some uncertainty over Pant’s availability for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington, starting November 19. He was included in India’s 16-man Test squad subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team. While earlier reports in late October suggested he was on course to feature in the third A game and potentially travel soon after, the latest assessment has delayed that plan.
India A’s tour has already seen strong performances from other players. Devdutt Padikkal scored a near double-century in the first unofficial Test in Lincoln, while Jurel has shown excellent form with the bat, including an unbeaten 99 in the second match in Christchurch. These displays have provided the selectors with useful options, particularly in the wicketkeeping department where both Jurel and Kushagra have impressed.
Pant’s absence is another chapter in a challenging period with injuries. The explosive left-hander has been managed carefully since his return from a serious car accident in late 2022 that kept him out for over a year. Side strains can be tricky for batters and keepers, as they affect rotation and explosive movements required for both disciplines. For India, the priority remains having Pant fully fit for the Test series against a competitive New Zealand side on home soil.
The Black Caps are expected to present a stern challenge with their pace bowling and seaming conditions. Pant’s presence as a dynamic middle-order batter and reliable gloveman would significantly bolster India’s chances. As things stand, the BCCI medical team will continue monitoring his progress closely over the coming days. Further updates on his fitness are expected once he completes the prescribed practice sessions.
In the meantime, India A will head into the final unofficial Test without their designated first-choice keeper-batter, relying on the current group to build momentum ahead of the senior series. The third match in Lincoln runs from November 7 to 10, after which attention will fully shift to the Test squad’s preparations. Whether Pant can regain full match fitness in time for Wellington remains the key question for Indian cricket fans and the team management.
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