Rishabh Pant Heads to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to Resume Training After Injury

India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to begin his recovery and training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after being sidelined with a fractured foot sustained during the Old Trafford Test in July. Pant has not played or trained since the injury but is now reportedly walking comfortably and no longer requires a cast.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury on the first day of the fourth Test against England in Manchester, when he attempted a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes and inside-edged the ball onto his right foot. Despite retiring hurt on 37 and arriving at the ground the next morning in a moonboot, Pant courageously returned to bat, scoring a crucial 54 before being ruled out of the rest of the series.

India’s next assignment in the ICC World Test Championship is a two-Test home series against the West Indies, scheduled for October 2–6 in Ahmedabad and October 10–14 in Delhi. With team selection expected in the last week of September, Pant’s return to full fitness will be closely monitored by selectors and team management.

During Pant’s absence in the remainder of the England series, Dhruv Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties, while N Jagadeesan was flown in as back-up. Both players are likely to be considered again if Pant fails to prove his fitness in time for the West Indies series.

Pant’s injury had forced him to miss not just the remainder of the England series but also training and competitive action altogether. However, his upcoming stint at the Centre of Excellence marks the first step in his rehabilitation and potential comeback to international cricket.

India managed to draw the five-Test series in England 2-2, with key contributions from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar helping save the fourth Test in Pant's absence. India went on to win the final Test without their first-choice keeper, but his return remains vital for the team’s long-term plans in red-ball cricket.

As he begins training, all eyes will be on Pant’s progress over the coming weeks as India prepare for another crucial leg in their World Test Championship campaign.