Pant’s availability in focus ahead of India’s squad to be picked for Tests against West Indies
India’s cricket fans are buzzing with anticipation as the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, gears up to announce the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies on September 24. At the center of it all is star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and whether he’ll make the cut after his ongoing recovery.
Pant, who served as India’s vice-captain during the recent England tour, suffered a fractured right foot in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy back in July. He checked into the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 15 for a medical assessment and has been focusing on rehab, strength training, and conditioning ever since. Just this Monday, the left-hander shared an Instagram story of his cycling session, giving a glimpse into his steady progress.
Sources close to the matter say Pant is making good strides, but he’ll definitely sit out the first Test in Ahmedabad from October 2-6. He needs at least seven to 10 more days to start batting and wicketkeeping practice, leaving his spot in the second Test in New Delhi—from October 10-14—up in the air.
The good news? Pant looks set to return for India’s white-ball tour of Australia starting October 19. If he misses the second Test against West Indies, his comeback to Test cricket could come during the home series against World Test Championship holders South Africa in November. Pant has been a game-changer in the longest format for India, so his return can’t come soon enough.
While Pant recovers, Dhruv Jurel steps up as the likely wicketkeeper. Jurel, who’s currently playing for India A against Australia A in Lucknow, filled in during the England series whenever Pant was sidelined. Selectors might also eye N. Jagadeesan as a backup— he opened the batting and shared keeping duties in the first India A match.
On the batting front, left-hander Devdutt Padikkal could earn a recall after smashing 150 for India A in their drawn four-day game against Australia A. He’s played just two Tests so far. Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, with seven Tests under his belt, is another strong contender. He sat out the first India A match due to a knee injury from the England tour but joins the squad for the second game starting Tuesday.
B. Sai Sudharsan seems like a lock for the series, but right-hander Karun Nair’s future hangs in the balance. Nair had a mixed England tour—his first Tests in eight years—and has been nursing a minor finger injury from the thrilling five-wicket win at The Oval.
This India vs. West Indies series kicks off the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. India holds third place on the WTC standings after drawing 2-2 in England, while West Indies sit sixth following three straight losses. With points on the line, the selectors have tough calls to make for a strong start.
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