Vice-captain of the Indian Test team, Rishabh Pant, is likely to return to action for the second round of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, starting on 25 October.
In a bid to prove his fitness in time for the home series against South Africa, Pant could feature in Delhi’s second Ranji game, against Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. However, he will need clearance from the BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence. If given the green light, he is likely to join up with the Delhi Ranji squad.
“As of now, there is a likelihood he could be cleared by 10 October. 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,” a BCCI official told TOI.
Pant has been out of action since suffering a foot injury while attempting to reverse-sweep Chris Woakes in the Manchester Test. The wicketkeeper-batter was forced to retire hurt, with scans later confirming a fracture. Although he returned to bat the next day, he was unable to keep wickets. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel and N. Jagadeesan have been selected as wicketkeepers for the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. Jurel made an impression as a keeper-batter, scoring his maiden century in the Ahmedabad Test. The UP-based cricketer also impressed with his neat glovework.
While announcing the squad for the two-Test series against the West Indies, Ajit Agarkar expressed optimism about Pant regaining fitness ahead of the South Africa Tests.
“Hopefully, he will be available for the home Tests against South Africa,” Agarkar said in the press-conference.
Just as Akash Deep proved his fitness recently in the Irani Cup match in Nagpur, Pant may do the same by playing the Ranji game ahead of the final home Test series of the year.
According to reports, if Pant plays, he is likely to captain Delhi for the duration of his availability.
With Pant unavailable for the season opener on 15 October against Hyderabad, Ayush Badoni will captain Delhi.
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