IND vs NZ 2024: Gautam Gambhir provides major update on Rishabh Pant's injury status ahead of second Test

Indian fans can breathe a sigh of relief as talismanic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has recovered from the left knee injury he sustained during the first Test against New Zealand last week at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The two teams lock horns in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, starting Thursday, October 24.

During the pre-match press conference, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Pant is fully fit and will be donning the wicketkeeping gloves during the all-important second Test as the hosts look to bounce back after the defeat in Bengaluru.

"He's absolutely fine, he'll keep wickets tomorrow," Gambhir said regarding Pant's availability for the second Test.

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Pant suffered an injury on Day 2 of the first Test when he tried to collect a delivery in the 37th over. The 27-year-old seemed to be in excruciating pain soon after as India's medical team assessed his condition. He walked off the field and didn't keep wickets for the rest of the Test match as Dhruv Jurel did the wicketkeeping duties. However, Pant came out to bat in the second innings and smashed a belligerent 99. The hosts eventually lost the match by eight wickets to go 0-1 down in the three-match series.

New Zealand look to create history

New Zealand could become the first team since England to beat India in a Test series on Indian soil. Alastair Cook-led England defeated India in a Test series in 2012. Since then, the Asian giants have won 42 out of the 54 Tests they have played at home. They have only lost seven Tests since the England series.

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India have won all the 18 Test series that they have played since the 1-2 defeat to England. This includes one-off encounters against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, New Zealand have only won three Test matches in India. Tom Latham and Co. are on the cusp of creating history as they can become the first New Zealand side to beat India in a Test series on Indian soil.