The first Test of the two-match series will be played in Wellington from November 19.
Rishabh Pant has been rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) after he suffered a side strain in the Irani Cup 2026 game. He was initially named in the India A squad for the multi-day games in New Zealand but was pulled out of the squad as he failed to recover in time.
Now, the Times of India has reported that the CoE medical staff is satisfied with Pant’s recovery and will undergo an obligatory match simulation session at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Wednesday. He is likely to fly out to New Zealand on Thursday to join the Indian team.
The remaining members of the Test squad have already come to New Zealand and will play some games before the two Tests, but Pant will only get a week’s practice before the start of the first Test.
According to sources close to the management of the team, Pant is experienced enough to be prepared 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 remains to be seen whether India goes with Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant both in the playing XI for the first Test.
India needs to win both Test matches against New Zealand to stay in contention for the WTC 2027 final.