Rishabh Pant could return to action in the second round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy , starting October 25, and set in motion the process to come back to Test cricket during the two-match series against South Africa from November 14. This is in line with what Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, had hinted at late last month in Dubai when announcing the squad for the ongoing Test series against West Indies.

Pant, who had fractured his right foot in the Old Trafford Test in late July, is understood to be in his final stretch of rehab and is due to undergo a fitness assessment at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru later this week.

His foot was taken out of the cast more than three weeks ago, and he is understood to be moving without any discomfort now. He has been working on

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