Rishabh Pant's comeback delayed, BCCI finalizes new first-choice Test wicketkeeper

Team India wicketkeeper-batter and vice-captain Rishabh Pant remains uncertain for the two-match Test series against the West Indies at home. Dhruv Jurel, who scored a century in the opening unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow, could emerge as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the series.

Pant suffered an injury on the opening day of the Old Trafford Test against England when a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes struck his foot. The left-handed batter retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field in a golf cart. However, the southpaw returned on the following day to continue his innings.

Rishabh Pant went on to score 54 off 75 deliveries, with the help of three fours and two sixes. Jurel kept the stumps in the match. The vice-captain was ruled out of the fifth and final Test match.

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Rishabh Pant Unlikely to be Picked for West Indies Series

Rishabh Pant recently returned to India and is now walking comfortably after consulting a specialist in Mumbai. The left-handed batter is set to continue rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

According to a report by RevSportz, Pant is unlikely to be picked for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, with only a slim chance of recovery in time. The squad is expected to be named around the India A vs Australia A fixture, set to begin on September 23.

"Although he is reportedly walking comfortably, it is learnt that there is just an outside chance of him playing the two Tests against the Caribbeans," the report read.

Rishabh Pant Among India’s Top Batting Performers in ENG vs IND Series

Rishabh Pant was named Test vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from red-ball cricket.

The wicketkeeper-batter scored 479 runs across seven innings at an average of 68.42, including two centuries and three fifties. Pant broke MS Dhoni’s record for most Test tons by an Indian wicketkeeper.

However, Pant's campaign was interrupted by injuries. A finger issue forced Dhruv Jurel to don the gloves in the Lord’s Test. He suffered another injury during the fourth match.

Pant missed the fifth and final Test at The Oval, where Narayan Jagadeesan was drafted in as a backup keeper. India defeated England by six runs to level the series.

Dhruv Jurel Impressed with His Batting during Unofficial Test vs Australia A

Dhruv Jurel seized his chance in the first unofficial Test against Australia A. He scored 140 runs off 197 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes. Jurel added a 228-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Devdutt Padikkal. India A scored 531/7 declared in response to Australia A’s 532/6 declared.

It was Jurel’s second first-class century in 26 matches. He played his career-best 249 for Uttar Pradesh in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. The right-handed batter has maintained strong form, including 227 runs at an average of 75.66 on India A’s tour of England, with three fifties in four innings.

“I think he (Jurel) can easily play as a batter,” Ravi Shastri, the former India captain and head coach, said in a video on ICC’s social media last year.

Also read: Virat Kohli used to harass India by Pakistan