Table of Contents
India vs New Zealand five-match T20I series got over, as the Men in Blue won the series 3-2, marking their first victory under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy in SENA countries. After the match, the India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media in the post-match press conference, where he shared an update about Rishabh Pant.
India will be featuring next in the five-match ODI series against the Kiwis, and with a busy schedule, they have next lined up a two-match Test series against the same opposition. They have given more importance to the Test series and want to win it, and thus have named two different squads, with some senior players leaving the ODI squad for the longest format.
"I dont have an update": Gautam Gambhir shares latest update on Rishabh Pant
In the post-match press conference, Gautam Gambhir was asked about Rishabh Pant’s availability in the two-match Test series. It was reported that the former vice-captain of India will be reporting to New Zealand for the third unofficial Test match. However, Gambhir’s answer has created a fresh stir, as the wicketkeeper-batter is yet to reach New Zealand for the series.
Gautam Gambhir said (as quoted by TOI), "I dont have an update yet on Rishabh Pant, will share when I get. This is a shocking response from the team India head coach, as he is totally unaware of Rishabh’s injury, and the update from the CoE (Centre of Excellence) has not reached the management."
Will Rishabh Pant play in the first Test against New Zealand?
As per recent reports, Rishabh is not available for the third unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A. Previously, it was reported that Jasprit Bumrah and Pant would join the squad soon; however, despite the former having landed in New Zealand, the Southpaw is yet to arrive. Dainik Jagran’s reports state that the latter had started his training ahead of the two-match Test series between India and New Zealand.
The BCCI medical team has kept him out as a precautionary measure because his recovery fell short of full competitive clearance. He has been named in the squad, but beside his name there was an asterisk mark, which suggested that he will be subject to playing the series only if he gets fit. The uncertainty clouds grow as the days pass by.
Why is Rishabh Pant out of action?
Rishabh sustained a left-side strain (along with wrist and shoulder concerns) while captaining the Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup in Srinagar. Post then he did not keep wickets in the match, and also did not take the field as well. However, his team won the game and the tournament as well.
If Pant misses the first Test match against New Zealand, it will be a big blow for the side, given the record he has in the SENA countries in recent years. He has scored 6 Test centuries in SENA countries, though he is yet to score a ton in the Island country. But no Indian keeper-batter has this record.
