Dubai
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar gave an update on Rishabh Pant’s injury on Thursday. Pant missed the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies because of a fractured left foot. However, Agarkar said Pant is close to recovery and hopeful to play in the South Africa series in November.
Pant, who was vice-captain during the England series, hurt his foot in the fourth Test in Manchester. Since he hasn’t recovered fully, Ravindra Jadeja has been named vice-captain for the West Indies series. This will be Jadeja’s first time as Test vice-captain, though he has held the role in ODIs and T20Is before.
Agarkar said Pant has been working hard on rehab and strengthening exercises. He shared a video of Pant cycling as part of his recovery. “We are hopeful he will be 100% fit for the South Africa series,” Agarkar added.
In Pant’s absence, wicketkeepers Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan are in the squad. Jurel, who stood in during Pant’s absence in England, is expected to keep wickets.
The India-West Indies Test series starts in Ahmedabad, followed by a match in Delhi.
