With Delhi’s games starting on October 25, it appears that star Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant will make his competitive cricket comeback in the second round of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy. If Rishabh Pant is passed after the fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru later this week, he will return to the Delhi team and start the domestic process of getting back into India’s Test schedule.
Since suffering a fractured right foot at Old Trafford in late July after inside-edging a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, Rishabh Pant has been sidelined. He was injured when he first retired, had scans that verified the fracture, and came back the following day to increase his total but was unable to hold onto wickets. While he recovered from the injury, he was unable to play in India’s white-ball tour of Australia or the home Test matches against the West Indies.
An ESPNcricinfo report states that Rishabh Pant is nearing the end of his recovery. He is said to be moving pain-free after his foot was removed from the cast more than three weeks ago. As part of a progressive return-to-play program, he has started performing weight training, mobility work, and batting drills again. Since they have emphasised care and are unlikely to hasten a player of the southpaw’s importance back into full match responsibilities, the CoE’s medical team will make the final decision.
Rishabh Pant has not agreed upon a certain date: DDCA representative
Rishabh Pant will join the Delhi team for the second round of Ranji matches starting on October 25 if he receives clearance. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has recommended that Pant return to the Test team by playing up to two red-ball matches during that timeframe prior to India’s two-Test home series against South Africa beginning on November 14.
Notably, DDCA officials have described his availability for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy first-round encounter as rather dubious. The match starts on October 15. The team and selectors will be observing how Pant’s keeping, running between the wickets, and capacity to handle match workloads hold up when he leads Delhi if he is available later in the month.
“Pant has not stated when he will be able to join the Delhi team. He has requested to wait for the CoE’s approval. It would be extremely difficult for him to play in the Ranji Trophy first-round match starting on October 15. He will probably head the team if he is available,” the DDCA official stated.
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