New Delhi, Nov 1: India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to miss the third and final unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained during the Irani Cup final last month, according to a report.
The 29-year-old is also doubtful for the opening Test of India’s upcoming series against New Zealand in Wellington, scheduled to begin on November 19, with his availability likely to depend on his fitness closer to the match.
According to a report by journalist Abhishek Tripathi, the Indian team management has decided against risking Pant in the final warm-up fixture, which begins on November 7, despite encouraging signs in his recovery.
Pant is reportedly no longer experiencing pain or showing symptoms of the injury and has resumed skill-based training as he works towards regaining full fitness.
However, the team management is understood to be taking a cautious approach before clearing him for competitive action.
The wicketkeeper’s latest setback came during the Irani Cup final, where he captained Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir.
Rest of India registered a convincing 167-run victory, but Pant suffered an injury during the contest, disrupting his return to regular cricket.Pant had only recently made his comeback after sustaining a wrist and forearm injury during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo earlier this year.
During that match, the left-hander was forced to retire hurt after being struck on his left forearm, just below the wrist, while attempting to pull a delivery from Lahiru Kumara.
He was batting on three at the time, having faced 15 deliveries.
Although Pant subsequently returned to the crease and scored 63 runs in the innings, the injury kept him away from competitive cricket until his appearance in the Irani Cup final.
His absence from the final India A fixture is a setback for the wicketkeeper as he looks to regain match fitness ahead of the New Zealand series. Pant and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah were earlier expected to feature in the unofficial Test as part of India’s preparations for the two-match series.
With Pant’s participation in the Wellington Test now uncertain, Dhruv Jurel could emerge as a strong contender for the wicketkeeper’s role.
Jurel has been in impressive form in red-ball cricket and has strengthened his claims with consistent performances since the Sri Lanka tour.
The wicketkeeper-batter also struck a century in the first innings of the opening unofficial Test against New Zealand A.
He is currently leading India A in the second unofficial Test and has given the selectors another option to consider should Pant fail to recover in time.
Pant’s fitness will therefore be closely monitored over the coming weeks, with the final decision on his participation in the Wellington Test expected to be taken nearer the start of the match. For India, the priority will be to ensure that the dynamic left-hander returns only when fully fit, although Jurel’s growing credentials have made the competition for the wicketkeeper-batter’s position increasingly intense. (Agencies)