Calm Mind, Quick Feet: Pant Posts a Training Video
It has been a long and arduous road to recovery, but Rishabh Pant finally looks in business again. Most recently, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter — who’s been improving his fitness, one day at a time — shared a new training video with an effective yet straightforward caption:
“If calm had a sound…”
The video has visuals of Pant, taking throwdowns confidently in the nets, doing footwork drills and also conducting high-energy fielding sessions. No over-the-top music, no captions, just clean, focused work.
It is more than a post on social media; it’s a statement: He is almost ready.
Will He Appear in the Manchester Test?
The big question now: Will Rishabh Pant return to the side in time for the fourth Test against England at Manchester on July 23?
Here’s what’s building the buzz:
Shubman Gill Offers Positive Update
Shubman Gill, India’s captain, said at a press interaction that Pant’s recent finger injury is minor and should not keep him from returning to the field. It wasn’t anything too bad, but there was some worry in the beginning now but now things are pretty clear.
Coaches Sound Confident
India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate also addressed the media and confirmed that Pant will bat in the nets ahead of the Test, saying:
“The injury doesn’t seem like a season-ender. He’s been improving every day.”
That sort of update is not only hopeful, it tells us that the team has intentions – serious or otherwise – to have Pant in the playing XI, if not on standby.
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
It has been no two ways about it for Rishabh Pant; his progress over the last couple of years is nothing short of inspirational. His road back from a near-fatal car wreck in December 2022 sidelined him for months as he not only rehabbed his body, but also reconstructed his confidence, mindset and rhythm.
Most athletes wouldn’t have been walking comfortably again for longer. Pant is already training, batting, keeping wickets and, perhaps, for one of the hardest formats in the way. That’s no small feat.
And the stunning thing is his equanimity. No hype campaigns. No grand announcements. Noisy, quiet work behind the scenes. And here he is pictured at training with IPL sides, attending match-day practice camp, and now this new video has him making his most significant statement without speaking a single 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.
