Rishabh Pant had suffered an injury during the Irani Cup game.
Now Dainik Jagran has reported that Rishabh Pant, who missed the first two games due to an injury he suffered during the Irani Cup match, has now been ruled out of the upcoming third multi-day game as well. Pant has resumed training ahead of the two-match Test series between India and New Zealand and will return to the field soon.
There were reports that Pant could play in the third unofficial Test to gain some match practice ahead of the two must-win games against the Kiwis, but it has now been confirmed that he will not take part.
“After recovering from his injury, Pant has restarted his skill training. Currently, he is not experiencing any pain, and no clinical symptoms related to the injury are visible. However, no definite timeline has been set yet for his return to competitive cricket," a Dainik Jagran report read.
According to sources at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE), once skill training resumes, Pant will need to complete three to four practice sessions to evaluate his fitness and match readiness.
In these sessions, the emphasis will be on his physical condition, batting, and wicketkeeping activities. Reports indicate that Pant's comeback plan will be drawn up based on the outcomes of these three to four practice sessions.
Pant's Return to Play (RTP)—that is, the timeline for his return to competitive cricket—will be clarified once three to four skill sessions are completed, since the team management and medical staff do not wish to rush his comeback.
It remains to be seen whether Indian team management includes Pant straight into the Indian XI for the first Test in Wellington from November 19, or Dhruv Jurel keeps wickets for the Shubman Gill-led side. With a century for India A in the opening innings of the current second unofficial Test in Christchurch, Jurel has demonstrated why he should be in the playing XI.