Rishabh Pant's fitness test set for November 9; CoE informs team management

Rishabh Pant (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant is set to undergo his match simulation test at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on November 9 before he is cleared to play in the two-Test series in New Zealand which starts on November 19.

Pant, who is recovering from side strain injury, has started his cricket skills at the CoE.TOI understands that the CoE on Saturday evening had shared an email with the Indian team management and the selection committee updating them about the injury status of Pant, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Interestingly, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday claimed he had no update on Pant.

"Pant started light cricket training this weekend. The initial plan was to conduct his simulation test by the coming weekend.

But it had to be pushed back because of Diwali. If cleared, Pant will immediately fly to New Zealand. The team needs a player of Pant's stature to play the Tests if he clears the test on Monday," a BCCI source told TOI.It is also learnt that Rana, who has been picked in the India 'A' squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha from Nov 20, is due to be cleared from CoE on Tuesday.

Pant conveys domestic availability to DDCA

TOI also understands that Pant has conveyed to Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley that he will be available for the next domestic assignment. "On Monday, Pant informed Jaitley about his availability for the domestic season starting with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which begins on Nov 14 followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He said that he expects to travel to New Zealand. But if, by any chance, he is not cleared for Tests, he will play the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy," a DDCA source told TOI.