Rishabh Pant Set to Return for Delhi in Ranji Trophy, Eyes Test Recall Against South Africa

India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to feature for Delhi in the second round of the Ranji Trophy, starting October 25, as he progresses toward a comeback in the national Test squad ahead of the two-Test series against South Africa in November, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Pant had been sidelined after sustaining a foot injury during the fourth Test against England at Manchester, where he was struck while attempting an audacious stroke to a Chris Woakes delivery. Despite the injury, Pant returned to the crease in India’s first innings, scoring a crucial half-century to help India draw the Test and stay alive in the series, which ended with a remarkable six-run win for India at The Oval in the final match.

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Recovery and Fitness Update

Pant is now in the final stages of rehabilitation and is scheduled for a fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru later this week. He has resumed batting and mobility exercises, along with foot-strengthening drills and weight training. While he is moving comfortably, Pant remains a “slight doubt” for Delhi’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad on October 15, per the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

“He is doing well in rehab and has started batting again. If cleared, he will be a key addition to our Ranji squad,” a DDCA source said.

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Form and Performance

Before his injury, Pant had a red-hot series in England, scoring 479 runs in four Tests, including two centuries and three fifties, at a strike rate of 77.63. He finished as the sixth-highest run-scorer of the series, reinforcing his reputation as one of India’s most dynamic middle-order batsmen.

In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel has been India’s first-choice keeper in the ongoing series against the West Indies, impressing with a quickfire 125 in Ahmedabad, raising discussions about his potential as a specialist batter. N Jagadeesan has also been included as a backup wicketkeeper.

Pant will miss the white-ball tour of Australia starting October 19, as he has not yet received a return-to-play certificate from the CoE.

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Delhi’s Leadership Plans

If Pant returns in time, he is likely to captain Delhi, while the team is currently led by Ayush Badoni, his Lucknow Super Giants teammate in the IPL. His presence is expected to boost Delhi’s middle order and strengthen the squad’s leadership ahead of the remainder of the Ranji Trophy campaign.

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Pant’s anticipated return is a major boost for Team India as selectors look to finalize the squad for the South Africa Tests, where his experience, aggressive batting, and wicketkeeping skills could prove pivotal.