Rishabh Pant announced captain on return to professional cricket

In a positive development, Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback in competitive cricket. The left-handed batter is expected to represent Delhi in the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season after completing his rehabilitation and clearing the necessary fitness tests.

Rishabh is India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batter in Tests. He continues to recover from a foot 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 team management are eagerly anticipating his return to the national setup.

Rishabh Pant Set to Make His Comeback in Ranji Trophy 2025-26

According to The Times of India, Rishabh Pant is set to make his domestic comeback for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. He will play in the match against Himachal Pradesh, beginning on October 25.

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After completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Pant has resumed net sessions and received full clearance from the medical team. He is also expected to captain Delhi in the game as he tests his fitness ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against South Africa in December.

For the opening Ranji fixture against Hyderabad, Ayush Badoni will lead the side, with former India U-19 skipper Yash Dhull as his deputy.

DDCA Announces 25-Member Squad For First Two Matches

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has announced a 25-member squad for the first two matches. Nitish Rana, who recently came back from Uttar Pradesh, has been included in the squad.

Delhi Squad For First Two Ranji Trophy 2025/26 Matches: Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Anuj Rawat, Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Rounak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, Siddhant Sharma, Dhruv Kaushik, Pranav Rajvanshi, Nitish Rana, Himmat Singh, Ayush Doseja, Rahul Dagar, Hrithik Shokeen, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi, Vaibhav Khandpal, Arpit Rana, Aryan Rana (subject to fitness).

Rishabh Pant Set to Miss India's White-Ball Series vs Australia

Rishabh Pant will miss India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia due to a foot injury. India will play a two-Test series against South Africa from November 14 to 26, where Pant could make a comeback if he proves his fitness and form in the Ranji Trophy.

Before the injury, Pant was in sensational form during India’s five-Test series in England. He scored 479 runs at an average of 68.42, including two centuries and three fifties. He began the tour with twin centuries at Leeds and added crucial half-centuries at Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Manchester.

Rishabh Pant’s performances were vital in several matches, including India’s massive 336-run victory at Edgbaston and the dramatic draw at Manchester. Notably, he was vice-captain for the Indian cricket team on the England tour.

In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel has taken over wicketkeeping duties and impressed with a recent century during the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad. However, Pant is likely to return as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

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