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New Delhi: India's star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant is likely to miss the two-match Test series against West Indies, which is set to begin on 2 October at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
According to the Times of India report, Pant is racing against time to be fit for the Test series against the West Indies. He tried to play a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes on day 1 of the fourth Test in Manchester, but the ball took an inside edge of the bat and hit his foot. Pant was batting on an unbeaten 37 and was replaced at the crease by Ravindra Jadeja.
The wicketkeeper-batter couldn't even stand after the blow and called for the physio for treatment. There was a big swelling and some blood on his right foot. He walked off the field and underwent scans at the hospital.
The reports revealed a fractured toe, but he resumed his innings on Day 2 and scored a half-century before being removed by Jofra Archer. Pant aggravated his injury a bit in the process, thus delaying his recovery.
A BCCI source told TOI that Pant is targeting a return for the Test series against West Indies, but that seems unlikely. He further added that the wicketkeeper batter is trying his best to recover, but the chances are 50:50.
"The more realistic possibility is that he will return to action with the white ball series against Australia, which will kick off with the first ODI on October 19 in Perth. Pant's injured foot is still strapped. It will take two weeks before he starts batting in the nets," the source added.
Pant missed that fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and wasn't available for the Asia Cup selection. It now remains to be seen when Pant will regain his fitness and start batting in the nets.
India's home international calendar will start with the two-match Test series against the West Indies in October and will be followed by a full-fledged series against the reigning WTC champions South Africa, consisting of two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati, three ODI matches in Ranchi, Raipur and Vizag, followed by four T20I games in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala and Lucknow in November-December.
The Men in Blue will also tour Australia for three ODI games and five T20Is, starting from October 19 to November 8. They will play three ODIs and five T20Is against New Zealand in January 2026, followed by the T20 World Cup in February.
