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Rishabh Pant ruled out of third India A game, doubtful for first Test against New Zealand

The wicketkeeper-batter misses the final unofficial Test in Lincoln as a precaution after a side strain.

By , Sports writer

· 2 min read

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant (file photo) Photo: Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India A's third unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, starting November 7, as a precautionary measure. He remains doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington from November 19.

Key takeaways

  • Rishabh Pant misses the third India A unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln from November 7.
  • He suffered a left-side strain while captaining Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar in October.
  • Pant has resumed skill training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru but feels no pain.
  • No timeline has been set for his return to competitive cricket.
  • He must complete three to four practice sessions before the medical team decides on a return-to-play plan.

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India A’s third and final unofficial Test against New Zealand A, starting November 7 in Lincoln, as a precautionary measure, Sportstar reported.

The wicketkeeper-batter remains doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 in Wellington, according to India Today.

The two-match Test series is part of India’s tour of New Zealand from October to December 2026, which also includes five ODIs and five T20Is, and forms part of the 2025–2027 World Test Championship cycle.

Injury and recovery

Pant picked up a left-side strain while captaining Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar in October, Mint reported. The discomfort began when he tried a sweep shot in the first innings.

He also had flu-like symptoms but came out to bat at number eight in the second innings without keeping wicket during Jammu and Kashmir’s chase. Pant has resumed skill training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is experiencing no pain.

There are no visible clinical symptoms, but a definite timeline for his return to competitive cricket has not been established. He must first complete three to four practice sessions to test his fitness, batting and wicketkeeping before the medical team decides on a return-to-play plan.

He has reportedly restarted batting drills but has not yet resumed wicketkeeping practice.

Broader context

His unavailability robs him of crucial time in the middle ahead of the two-match Test series. Pant is now a one-format player for India, having lost his place in the white-ball formats, Sportstar reported. Rishabh Rajendra Pant is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Indian national team as a wicket-keeper batter. He plays for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and Delhi in domestic cricket.

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