Big blow! Rishabh Pant’s comeback delayed, wicketkeeper officially ruled out of West Indies Tests
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Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been racing against time to gain fitness and end his recovery phase to make himself available for the team selections ahead of the West Indies Test tour, which is scheduled to begin on the 2nd of October.
The Indian team has been unstoppable across all three formats of the game in recent years, and their performance in ICC tournaments has been unmatchable. However, one concern that has often hit the BCCI, Head coaches, and the national selectors is the injury proneness of their players.
One of the two names that are often found associated with injury concerns is that of Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah and wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. These two players have been the two most valuable assets to the Men in Blue, but have often missed out on major occasions due to injuries.
Rishabh Pant starts speedy recovery ahead of West Indies series
The Indian star was last seen playing in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England. Pant was seen as a brute force for the new Indian side in the middle order. He played just 7 innings across 4 games and amassed 479 runs at an average of 68.43.
During the fourth Test of the series at Old Trafford, Pant was hit hard on his right foot as he attempted an audacious reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. He had to be carried off the field after the hit and was reported to have a fracture to his right foot.
Post this trauma, he has been eagerly rehabilitating to make his comeback for India. Currently, the urge to regain his fitness has increased due to the upcoming home test series against the West Indies. The team selections are expected to be made before the Asia Cup ends.
TOI reports claim Rishabh has 50-50 chances of return in the home Test series vs WI
Rishabh Pant has long removed his plaster and has been rehabilitating since then; however, he has yet to receive any kind of positive indications from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Despite consulting several specialists in Mumbai, Pant's recovery before October seems tough.
“He is targeting a return for the series against the West Indies, but that seems unlikely. Even though he’s trying his best, the chances of his return for the West Indies series are 50:50," a reliable source told TOI.
"The more realistic possibility is that he will return to action with the white-ball series against Australia, which will kick off with the first ODI on Oct 19 in Perth. Pant’s injured foot is still strapped. It will take two weeks before he starts batting in the nets,” the source added.
Rishabh Pant's brave conduct is the reason behind his late recovery
After the incident, Rishabh Pant was aided overnight and then came out to bat in the middle for India with a fractured foot. The batter scored a half-century and was praised for his bravery; however, the audacity seems to have affected his injury further.
“Typically, these fractures take six weeks to heal and another two weeks to regain fitness. If however, you have not had the opportunity to immediately rest (plaster or splint it) and had to run on it, this will delay the recovery a bit,” a source said to TOI.
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India National Cricket Team Rishabh Pant Asia Cup India vs England India vs West Indies BCCI India vs Australia
