India National Cricket Team is in New Zealand for a full tour, including a five-match T20I series, which has been concluded, and the five-match ODI series is ongoing and following it there will be two-match Test series. Amidst this, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has missed all the unofficial Test matches due to an injury, has started his recovery.

The Men in Blue won the T20I series 2-3 as they won the first three matches. Now they have been leading 0-1 in the five-match series and will look to win this series as well. However, the main focus remains the two-match Test series, which they would want to win or at least draw to keep their hopes alive for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Rishabh Pant starts batting in nets ahead of New Zealand Test

Rishabh Pant has been named in the Test squad; however, his participation in the first Test remains doubtful as he continues to recover from a left-side strain (along with wrist and shoulder concerns) during the Irani Cup against the Jammu and Kashmir side. The Southpaw has now started batting in the nets and is looking for a comeback.

love this game. 🏏💙 #RP17 https://t.co/w36QV4kGVZ

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) November 5, 2026

On Thursday evening, Pant released a video on his social media account, where he updated on his comeback to the Indian team ahead of the two-match Test series against the Kiwis. It would be a huge boost for the Men in Blue if the Southpaw is available for the first Test match, which is scheduled to take place on November 19.

Rishabh Pant to miss 3rd unofficial Test

Previously, after the fifth T20I, Gautam Gambhir was asked about Rishabh Pant’s availability in the first Test; the Indian head coach revealed that he had no update about the former vice-captain of the side. In recent times, the wicketkeeper-batter has struggled with injuries and has spent most of his time in the Centre of Excellence (CoE).

The 29-year-old batter has already missed the two unofficial Test matches between India A and New Zealand A. He is set to miss the third Test match as well, as he is in rehab at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He also did not keep wickets during the Sri Lanka Test match after he suffered a shoulder injury.

BCCI taking extra care against Rishabh Pant

Rishabh took part in the Irani Cup as he led the Rest of India squad, and during the game against the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, he got a strain and went out, and did not keep wickets as Sarfaraz Khan took the captaincy in his absence. Though he batted in both innings, he could not do much.

Rishabh has been India’s best wicketkeeper-batter in the SENA countries, though he has not scored a century in New Zealand; however, he has 6 centuries, which is the most by any keeper-batter in SENA countries.

The BCCI medical staff has held him out as a precaution because his rehabilitation did not meet full competitive clearance. He was named to the squad; however, there was an asterisk next to his name, indicating that he will only play the series if he is 100% fit.