Rishabh Pant is turning his recovery time into an opportunity to showcase new talents and reaffirm his dedication. After enduring months of rehabilitation for a foot fracture sustained during the England Test series earlier this year, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman has made remarkable progress, appearing poised for a much-anticipated return to competitive cricket later this month.
Sources indicate that Pant is set to make his comeback for Delhi in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. His right foot is scheduled for a final fitness assessment by the BCCI’s medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the upcoming week. A BCCI source previously mentioned, “As of now, there is a strong possibility he could be cleared by October 10. This week’s assessment is crucial, as his recovery has been extensive, and the BCCI medical team is prioritizing his full, safe return.”
The injury, a fractured metatarsal suffered during the Manchester Test in July, forced Pant to miss both the Test series against West Indies and the subsequent white-ball tour of Australia. What was initially projected as a six-week recovery period extended as the injury aggravated after he bravely continued batting the following day. Nevertheless, Pant has been diligently working on his fitness over recent weeks, with regular training sessions marking his steady journey back to peak condition.
In a delightful twist to his comeback narrative, Pant recently captivated fans on social media by unveiling an impressive new skill, one completely unexpected from a cricketer.
Rishabh Pant shared the clip on his Instagram story (Screengrabs)
Via a video uploaded to his official Instagram, the 27-year-old showcased his focus by aiming at a target and, astonishingly, hitting the bullseye on his very first shot. His caption, “Not bad for the first try,” perfectly captured the moment.
Rishabh Pant hitting the bullseye
What made the feat even more captivating was Pant’s confident declaration of ‘bullseye’ even before releasing the arrow. Fans were quick to express their admiration for his precision, eagerly anticipating his return to the cricket field. The day prior, Pant had also posted a video from his rigorous training session, where he boldly proclaimed, “Got me in the corner there, but I came out with flying colours.” These glimpses into his high-intensity workouts and his unwavering confidence have fueled hopes among fans that he will soon be back to full fitness, ready to proudly represent India.
A senior official from the DDCA confirmed Pant’s ambition to participate in the Ranji Trophy matches for Delhi, starting October 25, pending his medical clearance. The official stated, “Pant has indicated he should be available for the Ranji Trophy matches in Delhi from October 25.” Should he receive the green light, Pant is anticipated to captain the Delhi squad for the Ranji season, ahead of India’s home Test series against South Africa, commencing on November 14.