🧘 Calm Mind, Quick Feet: Pant Shares Training Video
After a long and challenging road to recovery, Rishabh Pant is showing clear signs of being back in business. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter, who’s been working steadily on his fitness, recently posted a new training video with a simple yet meaningful caption:
“If calm had a sound…”
In the video, Pant can be seen batting confidently in the nets, working on footwork drills, and doing high-energy fielding sessions. There’s no over-the-top music or captions — just clean, focused work.
It’s not just a social media post — it’s a message: He’s almost ready.
🏏 Will He Play the Manchester Test?
The big question now: Will Rishabh Pant be back in the squad for the fourth Test against England at Manchester on July 23?
Here’s what’s building the buzz:
✅ Shubman Gill Offers Positive Update
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, shared during a press interaction that Pant’s recent finger injury is minor and shouldn’t be a barrier to his return. While it wasn’t a major blow, there was some concern initially, but those doubts are clearing up.
🗣️ Coaches Sound Confident
India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate also spoke to the media, confirming that Pant will have batting practice before the Test match, and said:
“The injury is unlikely to rule him out. He’s been looking better every day.”
That kind of update doesn’t just offer hope — it signals real intent from the team to include Pant in the playing XI, or at least keep him on standby.
🧠 Experts Weigh In: Time to Trust or Time to Wait?
Not everyone thinks India should throw Pant right back into the spotlight. Some cricket veterans are taking a cautious approach, especially considering how demanding Test cricket can be.
🛑 Ravi Shastri’s Honest Take
Former head coach Ravi Shastri shared his concerns about Pant returning too soon, especially if he’s not ready to take up complete wicketkeeping duties.
“If he’s not ready to keep, then don’t play him just as a batter. That’s a risk you don’t want to take in Test cricket,” Shastri said on air.
His point is valid — wicketkeeping in England isn’t easy, and a half-fit keeper can become a long-term liability.
⚠️ Farokh Engineer Adds Perspective
Former India keeper Farokh Engineer also weighed in with some straight talk:
“Test cricket is not the place for flashy shots or unfinished recoveries. Save those for the IPL. In red-ball cricket, you need patience and maturity.”
It’s a reminder that skill isn’t enough — temperament and timing matter too, especially when a comeback is involved.
💪 Why This Comeback Feels Different
Rishabh Pant’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of inspiring. After surviving a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, he spent months away from the game, not just rehabbing physically, but rebuilding his confidence, mindset, and rhythm.
Most athletes would have taken longer to walk again comfortably. Pant is already training, hitting, diving, and possibly prepping for one of the toughest formats of the game. That’s no small feat.
And what’s striking is his calm approach throughout. No hype campaigns. No grand announcements. Just quiet, steady work behind the scenes. He’s shown up in training sessions with IPL teams, taken part in practice camps, and now — with this latest video — made his most direct statement yet without saying a word.
🏟️ What It Means for Team India
Pant’s return gives India something they’ve missed — an aggressive yet adaptable left-hander in the middle order who can shift momentum in an instant. His presence behind the stumps also brings energy and unpredictability — traits that India has lacked a bit during recent overseas Tests.
But the team has to get the timing right. If he’s not 100% fit, it may be wiser to wait. A half-ready Pant could hurt his long-term fitness, and the stakes in Test cricket are too high for experiments.
That said, if he’s close to match-fit and pain-free, few players in world cricket offer the kind of spark he brings.
🔚 Bottom Line
The signs are promising. Pant is training hard, looking sharp, and the team seems hopeful. If everything goes smoothly this week, Rishabh Pant might walk out in whites once again at Old Trafford on July 23 — gloves on, or maybe just the bat in hand.
Either way, his return would mark a special chapter in Indian cricket — not just because of what he can do on the field, but because of how far he’s come to get there.
