In a positive development, Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is set to make a comeback in competitive cricket. The left-handed batsman is expected to represent Delhi in the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season after completing his rehabilitation and passing the necessary fitness tests.
Rishabh is India’s favorite wicketkeeper-batsman in Tests. He is recovering from a leg injury sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester this July. He was ruled out of the ongoing West Indies series, and both fans and the team management are eagerly waiting for his return to the national team.
Rishabh Pant is set to make a comeback in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
According to The Times of India, Rishabh Pant is set to make a comeback to the domestic team for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. He will play in the match against Himachal Pradesh starting from October 25.
After completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, Pant has resumed net sessions and has received full clearance from the medical team. He is also expected to captain Delhi in this match as he tests his fitness ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against South Africa in December.
For the opening Ranji match against Hyderabad, Ayush Badoni will lead the team, while former India Under-19 captain Yash Dhull will be his deputy.
DDCA announces 25-member squad for first two matches
Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has announced a 25-member squad for the first two matches. Nitish Rana, who recently returned from Uttar Pradesh, has been included in the team.
Delhi squad for the first two Ranji Trophy 2025/26 matches: Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Anuj Rawat, Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Raunak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Mani Grewal, Siddhant Sharma, Dhruv Kaushik, Pranav Rajvanshi, Nitish Rana, Himmat Singh, Ayush Doseja, Rahul Dagar, Hrithik Shaukeen, Priyansh Arya, Tejashwi, Vaibhav Khandpal, Arpit Rana, Aryan Rana (subject to fitness).
Rishabh Pant set to miss India’s white-ball series against Australia
Rishabh Pant will not play in India’s upcoming tour of Australia due to a leg injury. India will play a two-Test series against South Africa from November 14 to 26, where Pant can make a comeback if he proves his fitness and form in the Ranji Trophy.
Before the injury, Pant had been in sensational form during India’s five-Test series in England. He scored 479 runs at an average of 68.42, which included two centuries and three fifties. He started the tour with two centuries at Leeds and added important half-centuries at Edgbaston, Lord’s and Manchester.
Rishabh Pant’s performances have been crucial in several matches, including India’s massive 336-run win at Edgbaston and the dramatic draw in Manchester. It is noteworthy that he was the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team on the England tour.
In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel has taken over the wicketkeeping duties and impressed with his recent century during the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad. However, Pant is likely to return as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming home series against South Africa.
Also read: Big danger on central contracts of Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma, if..
