Rishabh Pant to leave for New Zealand after Wednesday’s simulation

Rishabh Pant (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: In a boost to India’s Test team, Rishabh Pant is scheduled to leave for New Zealand on Thursday. Pant will undergo an obligatory match simulation session at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Wednesday.TOI understands that the CoE medical staff is satisfied with Pant’s recovery after the side strain he sustained during the Irani Cup in the first week of Oct.While the rest of the Test team has already assembled in New Zealand and getting game time before the two-Test series, Pant will have about a week to get ready for the first Test in Wellington starting on Nov 19.

Pant had initially requested the selectors to pick him for the ongoing India ‘A’ tour in New Zealand to get into rhythm for the crucial series which could decide India’s fate in the World Test Championship (WTC).However, sources close to the team management claim that Pant is experienced enough to be ready for the first Test. “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,” a source told TOI.It will be interesting to see if the team management decides to go with Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI alongside Pant.