Rishabh Pant Eyes Ranji Trophy Return as Injury Recovery Nears Completion: Report

Injured wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is hungry to make his return to red-ball cricket. Pant, who fractured his foot during the 5-Test tour of England, is eager to make his comeback in the Ranji Trophy. The Times of India reported on the development on Monday, October 6, and stated that Pant might be cleared to play by the Indian cricket board medical team by October 10.

Rishabh Pant fractured his foot in the Manchester Test match against England on July 24. Attempting to reverse sweep a ball, Pant got hit on his right foot and retired hurt immediately. Despite scans revealing that the batter had fractured his toe, Pant came out to bat again when the Indian team was in dire need. The batter, however, was ruled out of the rest of the series after that Test match.

The wicketkeeper did not need surgical intervention but was put in a cast. He began light training in September and has been moving well since.

“As of now, there is a likelihood he could be cleared by October 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 official told TOI.

The paper also reported that Pant has confirmed his availability for Ranji matches from October 25. However, the final decision will be taken by the BCCI medical team, who are constantly monitoring the player.

A Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official also stated that if Pant plays in the Ranji Trophy, he will be leading the Delhi side in the red-ball tournament.

Pant was not named in India's ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour. He is unlikely to make the cut for the T20 World Cup 2026 as well. If fitness permits, he will get a look in India's home Test series against South Africa.