Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was on Sunday ruled out of the third and final red-ball fixture between India A and New Zealand A, starting November 7, as a precautionary measure, casting a shadow over his availability for the first Test in Wellington.
Pant was earlier ruled out of the first two India A games in New Zealand after suffering a side strain in the Irani Cup.
“Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the third unofficial Test vs New Zealand A, as a precautionary measure.
“Although Pant has resumed skill training and is experiencing no pain, there is still no confirmed timeline for his return to competitive cricket,” said a BCCI source.
His unavailability robs him of crucial time in the middle ahead of the two-match Test series. Pant is now a one-format player for India, having lost his place in the white-ball formats.
The first Test begins on November 19 in Wellington.
Published on Nov 01, 2026
