Rishabh Pant cleared to join India's Test squad in New Zealand

Rishabh Pant has been cleared to join India's Test squad in New Zealand, flying out on Thursday after recovering from the side strain that had put his place in doubt. The wicketkeeper-batter was named in the 16-member squad subject to fitness after picking up the injury while captaining Rest of India in the Irani Cup in Srinagar last month. He reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on 23 October and passed fitness and match-simulation assessments on 10 and 11 November before receiving clearance on 12 November. The injury was a left-side strain, and during his rehabilitation he missed all three of India A's unofficial Tests against New Zealand A.

Pant was cleared by the BCCI medical staff and will link up with the squad in Wellington on Friday, ahead of the first Test starting on 19 November. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj are also expected to join the Test group in Wellington, after the Test-bound players left the ODI squad early. Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Test side for the two-match series, with the second Test to follow in Christchurch from 27 November. The first Test will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from 19 to 23 November, with the second in Christchurch from 27 November to 1 December, and both matches count towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Dhruv Jurel is the other wicketkeeper in the 16-member squad, which is captained by Shubman Gill with KL Rahul as vice-captain.

The pace attack for the two Tests also includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep alongside Bumrah and Kamboj. His clearance came two days after the third and final India A unofficial Test ended on 10 November.