Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to make his return to competitive cricket for Delhi in the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy later this month, and pending medical clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. It is understood that Pant, who has been at the CoE since mid-September, is scheduled to have another assessment on his right foot next week by the medical team. Earlier this month, Pant began his batting sessions in the CoE nets, an indication that his recovery has been going at a remarkable pace.
“As per the current progression, Pant could be cleared very soon. If he’s declared fully fit by the medical team, then he might be available for the two Ranji Trophy matches in Delhi from October 25, considering the one against Hyderabad begins on October 15, which is too tight for testing match fitness. When he links up with the Delhi team and turns out for them, it all depends on the all-important clearance,” further said the sources.
Pant suffered a fracture in the metatarsal of his right foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in late July, after inside-edging a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. That forced him to retire hurt on 37, with scans at the hospital later confirming the fracture. Remarkably, Pant returned to bat on the following day, despite arriving at the Old Trafford Stadium in a moonboot, and eventually made 54. Since then, the longish recovery period meant Pant has missed out on playing in the ongoing two-game Test series against the West Indies and the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, starting on October 19 in Perth.
