Rishabh Pant Eyes Ranji Comeback After Foot Injury Layoff

Rishabh Pant is closing in on a return to cricket after being sidelined with a foot injury suffered during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter fractured his fifth metatarsal after being struck by a Chris Woakes delivery, ruling him out for nearly two months.

Pant had initially tried to continue playing through the pain but was later forced to rest. The injury kept him out of the home series against West Indies and the upcoming tour of Australia. Doctors say such fractures generally take around six weeks to heal, with an extra couple of weeks needed for full match fitness.

He is scheduled to undergo a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Friday, October 10. His participation in Delhi’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad will depend on whether he clears the test.

According to DDCA officials, if Pant is not ready for the first match, he is likely to return in the second-round fixture against Himachal Pradesh starting October 25. They remain optimistic about his recovery, saying he has been training steadily and appears in good rhythm.

“The selection will be subject to fitness. He is expected to clear the test and play in the Hyderabad game. In the worst-case scenario, he will certainly be available for the second match against Himachal Pradesh, from October 25,” the DDCA source said.

Pant is reportedly targeting India’s Test series against South Africa in November as his comeback to international cricket. The management is keen to see him regain match sharpness through domestic games before pushing him back into the national setup.