Rishabh Pant fractured his foot while batting on the England tour, ruling him out of competitive cricket since then.
Rishabh Pant Set for Return to Competitive Cricket
Rishabh Pant is on track to return to competitive cricket, with a fitness clearance expected by October 10 following an assessment later this week. The wicketkeeper-batter fractured his foot while batting on the England tour, sidelining him since. Despite the injury, Pant ended the series as India’s sixth-highest run-scorer, amassing 479 runs in four Tests at an average of 68.42 and a strike rate of 77.63, including two centuries and three fifties.
His campaign was disrupted when a yorker from Chris Woakes crushed his right toe during the fourth Test in Manchester. Pant, however, displayed remarkable resilience by returning to the crease and contributing crucial runs, helping India reach 358. The match ended in a draw, which proved vital in India eventually levelling the series at the Oval.
According to PTI, Pant is expected to be cleared to play by October 10. “As of now, there is a likelihood he could be cleared by Oct 10. An assessment is due this week. It has been a long recovery for him. The BCCI medical team doesn’t want to take any chances with him,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Pant has also discussed his return with Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley, expressing his intent to play in the Ranji Trophy from October 25, subject to fitness and medical clearance. “Pant has said he should be available for the Ranji Trophy matches in Delhi from Oct 25. He has conveyed that it will be subject to fitness and clearance obtained from the BCCI medical team,” a DDCA official told TOI.
Ajit Agarkar hopeful for Rishabh Pant to return for SA Tests
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently indicated that Rishabh Pant is expected to return to the Indian team for the South Africa Test series. Speaking while announcing the squad for the West Indies Tests, Agarkar said,
“With regards to Rishabh, I don’t think he’s quite made this series. He won’t be ready, but like I said, we’re hopeful that by the time South Africa comes around, he’s 100% fit. Exact timelines… I know he’s not going to make these two Test matches, but after that, he’s very close to getting fit.”
“Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) has been one of your top performers. With a lot of experience, that’s essentially the reason he was made vice-captain,” Agarkar explained.
