Reports: Rishabh Pant to miss India A’s third unofficial Test against New Zealand A

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India A's third unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, scheduled for November 7 to 10. The wicketkeeper-batter has failed to receive competitive clearance from the BCCI medical team as he continues recovering from a left-side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in early October 2026. This setback leaves his availability in doubt for India's upcoming senior Test against New Zealand in Wellington on November 19.

Pant has resumed skill training at the Centre of Excellence, but he must still finish three skill sessions and four match simulations before undergoing a formal fitness evaluation. While Pant experiences no pain, no definite timeline has been established for his competitive return. If Pant is not cleared in time for Wellington, Dhruv Jurel could step in as India's wicketkeeper after scoring an unbeaten 99 in Christchurch.