Pant Eyes Comeback Following Setback in Manchester Test

Did Rishabh Pant worsen his foot injury by batting through pain in Manchester? Following a blow to his right foot from Chris Woakes during the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Pant bravely chose to return to bat the next day. However, this decision may have delayed his recovery.

Initially, Pant was anticipated to be available for the ongoing home Test series against the West Indies, but he couldn’t recover in time for that, nor for the subsequent away white-ball series against Australia.

Cricbuzz reports that Pant sustained a fifth metatarsal fracture, an injury that usually requires around six weeks for recovery, with players typically returning to play within two weeks after healing.

Unfortunately, Pant’s decision to prioritize his team’s needs over personal well-being led to an aggravated injury, thereby extending his recovery period. “He may be facing the consequences, but he is expected to return soon,” said a source close to him.

Pant is scheduled for a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Friday (October 10). Optimism is increasing that the 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will pass the assessment and resume playing soon. He is likely to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season for the Delhi team. He recently shared a photo of himself playing golf in Bengaluru.

The Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) plans to announce its Ranji squad on Thursday (October 9), with Pant likely to be conditionally included for the domestic match against Hyderabad on October 15, subject to fitness. “He should clear the test and play in the Hyderabad game. If not, he will be available for the second match against Himachal Pradesh from October 25,” a DDCA source stated. Pant is believed to have discussed his participation in domestic matches with DDCA officials.

Pant was on 37 when struck by a Woakes delivery and had to be carried off the field. Remarkably, he returned the next day and added valuable runs before being dismissed for 54. During four Tests in England, Pant accumulated 479 runs, including two centuries and three fifty-plus scores, at an impressive average of 68.42.

In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel has been keeping wickets and recently scored a century in Ahmedabad. However, Pant is anticipated to reclaim his spot in the Indian team for the home series against South Africa in November-December.