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Rishabh Pant suffers back injury in fresh setback

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant faces a setback ahead of the upcoming New Zealand tour after developing a back spasm during the Irani Cup 2026. The injury, which surfaced following his recovery from viral fever that sidelined him from Delhi’s Ranji Trophy opener, has delayed his preparations.

Pant, who led Rest of India to victory in the Irani Cup, had planned to join the India A squad for red-ball practice before the Test series, but the back issue now threatens his timeline. Medical advice suggests he may require another week before resuming training, with a potential clearance in 10–15 days at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the India A squad—led by Dhruv Jurel and including Pant as a standby wicketkeeper—has been finalized for three unofficial four-day matches against New Zealand A alongside the senior team’s T20I series. The squad features emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Devdutt Padikkal, aiming to refine their skills ahead of the World Test Championship clash in New Zealand.

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