Rishabh Pant Regains Full Fitness; Set To Play 3rd Unofficial Test vs New Zealand A - Report

Soumyajit Dutta

Rishabh Pant set to play NZ A 3rd unofficial Test [Source: AFP]

In a latest development, Rishabh Pant, India’s star wicketkeeper-batter and one of the vital cogs of the Test setup, is all set to play the India A vs New Zealand A 3rd Unofficial Test match. Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace lead will also star in the match with the bowler currently training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Notably, Pant was suffering from a side strain injury for a long time and was out of cricketing action since the Irani Cup 2026. In a latest report from Cricinfo, it has been understood that Pant is now subject to fitness clearance and might appear to play the 3rd Test, which will begin on November 7 in Lincoln.

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Rishabh Pant yet to gain clearance for New Zealand Test from BCCI’s CoE

In the same report, it has been noted that Rishabh Pant’s comeback isn’t fully guaranteed for the Test match. “He is subject to getting a fitness clearance from the BCCI medical staff,” the report read.

Notably, Pant has been training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and reached the CoE on Friday to report his fitness. Notably, he has started doing light batting drills in the nets but have kept away from starting any wicketkeeping drills yet.

For the unaware, Pant suffered the side strain injury while playing in the Irani Cup 2026 and leading his team, Rest of India, to victory. He was then ruled out of the first round of the Ranji Trophy from playing for Delhi and the first two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A as well.

Jasprit Bumrah guaranteed to feature in New Zealand A 3rd Unofficial Test

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, who last featured in a Test match for India back in November 2025, is almost guaranteed to feature in the Playing XI for the 3rd Test.

Bumrah arrived at BCCI’s CoE on Monday to primarily fulfil the obligatory return-to-play conditions that all players complete ahead of any series. Bumrah will take a flight to New Zealand on November 1 to prepare for the 3rd Test, six days later.

Bumrah last featured in the Asian Games 2026 for India and was rested for the white-ball series against the West Indies and New Zealand. The veteran, however, was found training in Ahmedabad, where he currently resides.