Rishabh Pant likely to get fitness clearance for Test series in New Zealand

There is good news for the Indian Test team. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant could soon return to the side fully fit. He is expected to receive fitness clearance soon from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. If Pant gets the fitness certificate, he will be able to travel on the New Zealand tour.

An ODI series is currently under way between India and New Zealand. India won the T20 series played before it. The Test series between the two teams will now begin on November 19. The Indian team will take the field under captain Shubman Gill.

To go on the New Zealand tour, Pant will have to pass a fitness test. He must also officially receive a "return to play" certificate. His tour rests entirely on these two conditions. Pant has been away from the cricket field with an injury, and his path back into the Indian team is now expected to open.

Pant suffered a "side strain" injury while playing the Irani Cup. Because of muscle trouble, he had to stay off the field for some time. After recovering, he was named in an India A squad for an unofficial Test match, subject to fitness clearance. However, the required "return to play" certificate from the Centre of Excellence did not arrive in time, and he could not play that match.

According to the information available, Pant is likely to receive the fitness certificate. If he does, he will be able to travel to play the Test series against New Zealand. Whether he will get a chance to play against New Zealand should become clear in the next few days.

Pant has so far played 52 Test matches. In the format, he has scored 8 centuries and 29 half-centuries.