Rishabh Pant undergoing two-day simulation at BCCI CoE, set to travel to Wellington on November 12

Rishabh Pant is completing a two-day match simulation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in New Delhi and is likely to leave for Wellington, New Zealand, on November 12, a BCCI source told PTI. The clearance follows a fitness process after the wicketkeeper-batter suffered a side strain earlier this month.

Pant picked up the side strain while representing Rest of India in the Irani Cup and was named in the India A squad for one unofficial Test only subject to fitness. He had not received the required 'RTP' (Return To Play) certificate from the CoE before beginning the simulation work.

A BCCI source privy to the development spoke to PTI on condition of anonymity and said, "Pant is completely fit. He is undergoing the match simulation drills at the CoE today and there is one round (of simulation) scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). Upon successful completion of both rounds, Pant will then leave for Wellington on November 12."

Pant has prior experience of Test cricket in New Zealand when the national team toured there in 2020, making him one of the few members of the current group familiar with conditions in that country. That experience was cited in assessments of his readiness for the trip.

The 29-year-old is among the senior players in India's setup with 52 Test appearances to his name, a tally noted in the CoE's evaluation of his fitness. His record includes eight Test centuries and 21 fifties, with a batting average recorded at above 43.

As a left-hander, Pant has registered Test hundreds in Australia, England and South Africa among the SENA countries, details that were reiterated in the profile information accompanying the fitness update. Those innings form part of the statistical case for his inclusion if cleared.

If Pant completes both simulation rounds to the CoE's satisfaction, he is scheduled to depart for Wellington on November 12 to join the touring party, the BCCI source told PTI.