Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has returned home following his toe injury from the recently concluded Test series against England. Pant fractured his right foot while batting during the fourth Test in Manchester this July and was consulting medical specialists in Mumbai, and now will head to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for rehabilitation.

According to reports, Pant flew back directly from England with his foot still strapped. Once he arrived, he spent a number of days in Mumbai consulting with various leading medical experts who have now provided a timeline for recovery and rehabilitation. While the particulars of his evaluation have not been shared, it is understood that the doctors directed him to proceed to Bengaluru, where he hopes to begin the next stage of recovery at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence.

Rishabh Pant begins rehab after toe injury, eyes a quick return

Pant’s injury made him unavailable for the thrilling fifth Test against England that garnered much interest. His absence would not only be for his batting ability but also for his crucial part behind the stumps. The injury could not have come at a worse time for the impactful left-hander, who had battled and regained some form in red-ball cricket, following his fairytale return earlier this year

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In the future, India’s next big Test cricket series will be their home series against the West Indies in October 2025. There are indications from sources close to the team that Pant is highly motivated to recover fully, as he has set that as his target. The timeline for his rehabilitation may take longer than this, meaning he may have to aim for a return sometime during India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia in October-November.  

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management would expect to be apprised of Pant’s recovery closely. The ICC World Test Championship is coming around in June 2025 (the annual Test series in South Africa), and in 2026, the T20 World Cup, so the priority is ensuring Pant returns only when he’s fully recovered to play at competitive cricket. 

For the moment, Pant’s best move is to start the recovery process under clinical supervision in Bengaluru. There is hope for Pan from fans and his teammates that we’ll see him back on the field as soon as possible, as the Indian international cricket calendar grows busier.