Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to leave for New Zealand on Thursday after completing a mandatory match simulation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Wednesday. The southpaw has made significant progress in his recovery from a left-side strain, with the CoE medical staff satisfied with his fitness.

Pant will have around a week to prepare for the opening Test against New Zealand, which begins on November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. India have already named their squad for the upcoming series, with Pant included in the 16-member squad on October 16, subject to fitness.

Rishabh Pant Set to Join India Squad After Wednesday's Fitness Simulation

Rishabh Pant sustained the left-side strain while captaining the Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar during the first week of October. He was subsequently ruled out of the three four-day matches on India A's ongoing tour of New Zealand.

The wicketkeeper had initially asked the selectors to include him in the India A squad so he could regain his batting rhythm before the two-Test series. However, the team management decided against an early return to competitive cricket following his injury.

According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), the management believes Pant has enough experience to prepare for the opening Test despite missing the India A fixtures.

A team source told TOI: "This is the first time in a long while that the Test players have got such extensive preparation time for an away Test series. Pant had been part of tours to Australia and England where the Indian team has played a Test match within one week of landing in the country."

Rishabh Pant Surpasses MS Dhoni and Shubman Gill in WTC Record

Rishabh Pant last played for India in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August 2026. He was struck on the left forearm by a Lahiru Kumara bouncer while attempting a pull shot and retired hurt on three off 15 deliveries. However, he returned the following morning and scored 63 off 89 balls.

He also shared a 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with Jurel, helping India recover during the innings. Pant surpassed MS Dhoni's 2,496 runs to become India's highest-scoring wicketkeeper in away Tests. He reached 2,534 runs in Tests at an average of 41.54.

Pant also went past Shubman Gill to become India's leading run-scorer in the current World Test Championship cycle. In the Irani Cup, he scored 10 off 36 in the first innings and eight off 18 in the second. He did not keep wickets during Jammu and Kashmir's chase and missed the third day due to a fever.

Rishabh Pant's Injury Troubles Continue Ahead of Crucial New Zealand Tests

Rishabh Pant has endured a stop-start period since returning to competitive cricket after recovering from a serious car accident. A right-sided abdominal oblique tear ruled him out of the home ODI series against New Zealand, and he has not represented India in the 50-over format since the end of 2024.

He also suffered a fractured toe during the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at Old Trafford in July 2025. Pant inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes onto his right foot and retired hurt on 37 before leaving the field on a buggy.

Although he returned to bat despite considerable discomfort, the injury ruled him out of the final Test at The Oval. He subsequently missed the West Indies Test series and Australia's white-ball leg while recovering.

Pant took a blow from a Josh Hazlewood bouncer during Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and had to retire hurt.