Star Indian batter Rishabh Pant departed for New Zealand on November 13, 2026, and is set to link up with the Indian Test squad in Wellington on November 14. He has been cleared by the BCCI medical staff after recovering from a side strain that he sustained while captaining the Rest of India side during the Irani Cup in Srinagar between October 1 and 4.

Pant had been named in India's Test squad for the New Zealand tour, subject to fitness clearance. However, the injury ruled him out of the first two four-day matches of the tour. He subsequently underwent rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from October 23.

As reported by Cricinfo, his original plan was to travel in time for the third India A fixture, scheduled between November 7 and 10, but the BCCI medical team extended his rehabilitation programme after wanting more time to assess his readiness at the Centre of Excellence.

The three-match Test series opens in Wellington on November 19, with the second Test scheduled to begin in Christchurch on November 27. The series carries significant weight for India's World Test Championship campaign, with South Africa and Australia also in contention ahead of the final.

How did India A perform in the warm-up matches before Pant's arrival?

India A played five matches in New Zealand to prepare the squad for the Test series. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were part of the India A setup alongside Anshul Kamboj during those fixtures against New Zealand A. Several players used the warm-up games to press their claims with strong performances.

Dhruv Jurel, who will serve as the reserve wicketkeeper in the Test squad, scored a half-century across four innings and also made a hundred against New Zealand A. Sai Sudharsan accumulated 88 runs across five innings, with scores of 91 among his contributions against the New Zealand A side. Devdutt Padikkal was equally productive, scoring 80 across five innings and registering a knock of 199 during the tour games against New Zealand A.

What does Pant's return mean for India's Test wicketkeeping plans?

With Pant now cleared and on his way to Wellington, he is expected to be available for selection from the first Test onward, which begins on November 19. Dhruv Jurel had been keeping wicket in his absence during the warm-up matches and produced solid returns with both bat and gloves.

Jurel's hundred and consistent half-centuries across four innings against New Zealand A demonstrated his readiness, though Pant's clearance means the senior wicketkeeper is in line to reclaim his place in the playing eleven. The BCCI had included Pant in the Test squad announced on October 17, with the fitness condition attached, and that condition has now been met.

India full squad for New Zealand Test series

Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, 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