Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of West Indies Test Series, Jurel Likely to Keep Wickets

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will miss the upcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies, scheduled to begin in Ahmedabad on October 2, due to injury. Pant is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after suffering a fractured left foot during the England tour earlier this year.

The injury occurred during the fourth Test in Manchester, part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Though Pant batted in the first innings despite the injury, he was ruled out of the final Test at The Oval, where N Jagadeesan took his place behind the stumps.

According to sources within the BCCI, Pant is presently undergoing strength and conditioning and is awaiting medical clearance before he can resume full cricketing activities, including batting and wicketkeeping. There is currently no confirmed timeline for his return to competitive cricket.

India's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet on September 24 to finalise a 15-member squad for the series — two fewer than the squad selected for last year’s home Tests against New Zealand.

In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel is expected to don the gloves during the series. Jurel, who kept wickets in the final two Tests of the England tour, is currently playing for India A in a series against Australia A in Lucknow. He is viewed as the front-runner to replace Pant in the XI.

N Jagadeesan, who opened the batting and shared wicketkeeping duties with Jurel in the Australia A match, may be considered as a backup wicketkeeper if the selectors decide to include a second specialist for the series.

India are also scheduled to play a white-ball series in Australia starting October 19, but Pant's availability for that tour also remains uncertain.