Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has received fitness clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team and left for New Zealand early on Thursday ahead of India's upcoming Test series, according to a Cricinfo report. He is set to join the Indian Test squad in Wellington on Friday.

Pant had been recovering from a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup in Srinagar, held from October 1 to 4, where he captained the Rest of India side. He had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since October 23, and his recovery was extended after the BCCI medical team decided he needed additional time there for his fitness assessment.S1S2

Pant was named in both India's Test squad for the New Zealand tour and the India A squad for the four-day matches against New Zealand A, subject to fitness clearance. He missed the first two four-day matches and was initially expected to join the team for the third fixture, played from November 7 to 10. He will join captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj in Wellington, the trio having left the ODI squad after the third match to prepare for the Tests.S2

India, currently facing New Zealand in a five-match ODI series with the fourth ODI set for Friday, will contest a two-Test series beginning November 19. The visitors lead the rain-hit ODI series 2-0, after the third match at Seddon Park, Hamilton, was washed out. New Zealand must now win the next two ODIs to draw the series, while India look set for their first ODI series win in New Zealand since the 2018-19 season.S2