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Rishabh Pant Walks Again After Shedding Cast As He Eyes October Return

Jatin

Rishabh Pant is on his road to recovery [Source: @MSDianMrigu/x.com]Rishabh Pant is on his road to recovery [Source: @MSDianMrigu/x.com]

India’s premier wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has taken a major step forward on the road back to Test cricket. After weeks of hobbling around in a cast, the left-hander is finally back on his feet.

As per a report from ESPNCricinfo, Pant’s foot is no longer in a cast and he has started walking comfortably again. The southpaw is expected to head to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in the coming days to kick off light training as part of his rehabilitation.

Injury That Cut His England Tour Short

Rishabh Pant had picked up the injury during the opening day of the Old Trafford Test against England. Trying one of his audacious reverse sweeps off Chris Woakes, he copped a blow on his foot that left him grimacing in pain.

He had to walk off the field and was later seen in a Controlled Ankle Motion (CAM) boot. But in classic Pant fashion, he came back the very next day and cracked a fighting half-century. That knock summed him up: built different, wired for pressure.

Jurel Stepped In But Pant Remains Key

With Pant ruled out, Dhruv Jurel was drafted into the XI and did a neat job behind the sticks in the remaining matches. He even featured in the final Test after Pant was officially ruled out of the series.

Still, there is no hiding that Pant brings a balance to the side that is hard to replace. His fearless batting, knack for turning games on their head and sharp glovework have made him one of India’s most influential Test cricketers in recent years.

Eyes On West Indies Series

An earlier report hinted that Pant is eyeing a return in India’s next home assignment, a two-Test series against West Indies starting October 2. The first Test is slated for Ahmedabad and the second in Delhi, which could be the perfect stage for Pant’s grand comeback in front of his home crowd.

With a busy red-ball calendar coming up, the selectors and management will be watching his progress like hawks.