New Delhi, October 21 – Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been declared fully fit and will captain the India A team in the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa A, marking his return to competitive cricket after recovering from a foot injury sustained during the England tour earlier this year.

As per agency report, Pant had injured his right toe while batting in the fourth Test in Manchester in July but continued to play and scored a half-century despite the pain. The injury later ruled him out of the Asia Cup and the home Test series against the West Indies.

The selectors have now included Pant in the India A squad for two four-day matches to be played in Bengaluru starting October 30. The assignment is expected to help him prepare for the senior team’s two-Test series against South Africa, beginning November 14 in Kolkata.

Sai Sudharsan has been named vice-captain for both matches. The squad also features KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, and pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna — all of whom were part of India’s recent Test series against the West Indies.

Siraj, Prasidh, Akash Deep, and Jurel will join the team for the second match scheduled from November 6 to 9, while N Jagadeesan will serve as the second wicketkeeper for the first game. Among the domestic talents, fast bowlers Gurnoor Brar and Khaleel Ahmed are expected to attract attention with their performances.

South Africa A will be led by batsman Marques Ackerman, with senior team captain Temba Bavuma also making a return after recovering from a calf injury. The visiting team will play three one-day matches against India A in Rajkot from November 13 to 19, following the red-ball series.

After the A-series, the senior Indian and South African teams will face each other in a two-Test series, followed by three ODIs and five T20 Internationals, marking a packed schedule for both sides ahead of the new cricket season.

Leeds, June 24 — Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been officially reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing first Test match between India and England at Headingley. The ICC announced the disciplinary action on Tuesday.

Pant, who impressed with centuries in both innings of the match — scoring 134 in the first and 118 in the second — found himself in trouble on Day 3 of the Test during England's first innings. The incident occurred in the 61st over when the on-field umpires declined to replace the ball after examining it for damage. Frustrated by the decision, Pant reacted by slamming the ball onto the ground in front of the umpire.

The ICC found Pant guilty of violating Article 2.8 of its Code of Conduct, which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match." As a result, Pant received an official reprimand along with one demerit point being added to his disciplinary record. This was his first offence in the last 24 months, hence no formal hearing was required.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Mike Burns. Pant accepted the charge and the sanction.

Under ICC rules, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of a 50% match fee fine and up to two demerit points.

Meanwhile, the Test match remains finely poised. England need 350 runs to win on the final day with all 10 wickets intact. India will be banking on pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who took a five-wicket haul in the first innings, to deliver a match-winning performance.

New Delhi, May 20 – Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed concern over Rishabh Pant’s underwhelming performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, suggesting that the wicketkeeper-batter will need to reassess his approach in T20 cricket. As per agency report, Chopra believes that Pant has missed a crucial opportunity to cement his place in India’s T20 squad after a disappointing campaign with the Lucknow Super Giants.

Pant, who has not been a regular in India’s T20 setup, was expected to make a strong statement this season. However, despite being signed for a hefty sum of ₹27 crore, the Super Giants’ captain managed to score only 135 runs in 12 matches. With a defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday night, Lucknow bowed out of the playoff race.

Chopra, speaking on Jio Hotstar, stated that while success teaches certain lessons, it is failure that truly reshapes a player's mindset—often for the better. He highlighted that this season was a pivotal moment for Pant to make a lasting impact and help build a competitive squad around him, but he failed to capitalize on that chance.

He also pointed out the inconsistency in Pant’s form throughout the season and questioned whether he would continue with his current aggressive style in T20s or adapt to a more balanced approach going forward. According to Chopra, tough phases can feel endless, but they are often when players learn the most and prepare for a stronger return.

Calling this IPL campaign a “bad dream” for Pant, Chopra concluded with a note of optimism, remarking that the good thing about bad dreams is that eventually, one wakes up.

New Delhi, May 10 – Rising star Shubman Gill is being considered as the new captain of the Indian Test team, with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant likely to serve as his deputy, as per sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This leadership reshuffle comes amid growing speculation over the future of senior stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the traditional format.

While no official announcement has been made, sources indicate that the selectors see Gill as the long-term choice to lead the Test side, especially following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Pant, one of India’s most successful Test batsmen in overseas conditions with centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa and an average exceeding 42, is reportedly the frontrunner for vice-captaincy. Jasprit Bumrah, although highly respected, is not being considered for a leadership role due to recurring fitness concerns and uncertainty over his availability for an entire Test series.

According to BCCI insiders, there was serious deliberation over asking Virat Kohli to captain the side for the challenging five-match series in England, allowing Gill more time to develop. However, Kohli has not made any official statement regarding his future in Test cricket, and it remains unclear whether he will participate in the England series at all.

Both BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar have declined to comment on the matter. Despite public curiosity, the board has maintained silence over any direct discussions with Kohli about his retirement or leadership role.

A senior BCCI official revealed that Kohli’s experience was viewed as crucial for the England tour, especially in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, with uncertainty surrounding Kohli’s availability, the selectors now appear inclined to hand the reins to Gill, who they believe represents the next generation of leadership.

KL Rahul, despite his international experience and recent form in Australia, is not being seen as a viable leadership candidate due to his inconsistency and age. His average of under 35 after 50 Tests hasn’t impressed the selectors enough for a prominent leadership role.

The Indian squad for the England tour is expected to be announced by the end of May’s third week, with the India A team to be finalized earlier. Tamil Nadu’s left-handed batsman Sai Sudharsan is likely to earn his maiden Test call-up, following an impressive run of form. He is expected to slot in as an opener or at No. 3 in the batting order, depending on the final team composition.

As India prepares for its next overseas Test challenge, the focus now shifts to a younger leadership core, while questions around Kohli’s future remain unanswered by the board.

Lucknow: Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate during their IPL match against Mumbai Indians on Friday. The match, held in Lucknow, saw the bowling side fall one over short of the stipulated time limit, leading to an on-field penalty in the final over.

According to IPL regulations, a bowling side must complete their 20 overs within 90 minutes. Delhi Capitals failed to meet this requirement, forcing them to position one fewer fielder outside the 30-yard circle in the final over. As per agency report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated in a press release that since this was the team’s first offense of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct related to slow over rates, Pant was fined Rs 12 lakh.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants’ spinner Digvijay Rathi has once again been fined 50 percent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct. This marks his second such offense this season. Rathi had previously been fined for a celebratory gesture against Punjab Kings, where he mimicked writing in a notebook after taking a wicket. He repeated the gesture after dismissing Mumbai Indians batter Naman Dhir.

According to the BCCI, this second breach falls under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct. As a result, Rathi has been handed another demerit point, bringing his total to two for the season.

New Delhi, March 11 – Indian cricket stars are expected to gather in Mussoorie to attend the wedding of Rishabh Pant’s sister, Sakshi Pant. The wedding ceremonies will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at a private venue in the hill station.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma, star batsman Virat Kohli, and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni are among the high-profile guests anticipated to attend the event. Sakshi Pant is marrying businessman Ankit Chaudhary, following a nine-year-long relationship. The couple got engaged last year in London, where MS Dhoni was also present for the ceremony.

Sakshi, who pursued her education in the UK, enjoys a strong following on social media, often sharing her travel experiences and trendy outfits. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant recently played a crucial role in India’s third Champions Trophy triumph, where they defeated New Zealand in the final.

Pant's career has seen a remarkable resurgence after surviving a near-fatal car accident in December 2022. After multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, he made his long-awaited return to cricket, contributing significantly to India's T20 World Cup victory. His Test comeback was equally memorable, scoring a match-winning century against Bangladesh in September 2024, equalling MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper.

In IPL history, Pant set a new record last November when Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired him for ₹27 crore in the mega auction, making him the most expensive player in the league’s history. This bid surpassed the ₹26.75 crore Punjab Kings had paid minutes earlier for Shreyas Iyer. In January, he was officially announced as LSG’s captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, set to commence on March 22.

Dubai: India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, acknowledged that star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant finds it difficult to sit out during the ongoing Champions Trophy matches. However, he emphasized that such decisions are part of the competitive nature of the sport at this level.

Pant has not featured in India's last two group-stage matches, with KL Rahul taking up the wicketkeeping duties. Rahul has delivered solid performances both behind the stumps and in the middle order, strengthening his position in the playing XI.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Doeschate said, “It has been quite tough for Rishabh to be out of the playing XI. But that’s the nature of the game at this level.” He further explained, “KL has performed well. He hasn’t had too many opportunities before this, as we needed to keep Rishabh ready. We never know when we might need him. But having two quality wicketkeepers in the squad is always a good thing.”

Looking ahead to India’s upcoming match against New Zealand on Sunday, Doeschate acknowledged that spin bowling would play a decisive role. “New Zealand also has four spinners, so it will be a battle of spin. Before the tournament, we hadn’t expected spinners to have such a big impact, but they have bowled well and received support from the pitch. I expect the same in the next match,” he added.

Jeddah, November 24: Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has shattered records to become the most expensive player in IPL history. At the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Pant for an astonishing ₹27 crore. This bid surpassed the ₹26.75 crore spent earlier on Shreyas Iyer, making Pant the new record-holder. The two-day auction will continue through Sunday and Monday.

Pant, who entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, sparked a fierce bidding war between LSG and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The competition quickly drove the price beyond ₹10 crore, with Sunrisers Hyderabad joining the fray. The bidding escalated past ₹20 crore before Hyderabad withdrew. LSG made the final bid of ₹27 crore, and while Delhi Capitals used their Right to Match (RTM) card, they eventually backed out, making Pant an LSG player.

Having represented Delhi Capitals since 2016, Pant has scored 3,284 runs in 111 IPL matches at an average of 35.31, including one century and 18 half-centuries. He captained Delhi in 2021 but was released by the franchise ahead of the auction.

Shreyas Iyer Signs with Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 Crore

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer became the second-most expensive player in IPL history, being acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore. Iyer, who led KKR to the championship last season, attracted significant interest, cementing his status as one of the most sought-after players.

Arshdeep Singh Retained by Punjab Kings for ₹18 Crore

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh was the first player to go under the hammer. Punjab Kings used their RTM card to retain him for ₹18 crore after an intense bidding war involving Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Punjab finalized the deal after Hyderabad placed a bid of ₹15.75 crore.

Mitchell Starc Joins Delhi Capitals for ₹11.75 Crore

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, with a base price of ₹2 crore, saw competition from KKR, Mumbai Indians, and RCB before Delhi Capitals secured him for ₹11.75 crore. Starc's inclusion strengthens Delhi’s bowling attack significantly.

Jos Buttler Moves to Gujarat Titans for ₹15.75 Crore

England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, released by Rajasthan Royals, was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for ₹15.75 crore after a bidding battle with Punjab Kings and LSG. Buttler’s addition bolsters Gujarat's top-order lineup.

Auction Overview

The IPL 2025 mega auction includes 577 players, both domestic and international, with 10 franchises allowed to purchase a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 25 players. With these record-breaking deals, the auction has set the stage for an exciting season ahead.

New Delhi, October 23: Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has climbed to sixth place in the ICC Test rankings, surpassing teammate Virat Kohli. Pant achieved this milestone after his brilliant knock of 99 runs in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand, moving up three spots in the rankings. Kohli, who scored 70 in the Bengaluru Test, has slipped one position to eighth place.

Yashasvi Jaiswal remains India's highest-ranked batsman at fourth place, while Indian captain Rohit Sharma dropped two positions to share the 15th spot with Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne. England's Joe Root continues to hold a strong lead at the top.

New Zealand players Rachin Ravindra (up 36 spots to 18th) and Devon Conway (up 12 spots to 36th) made significant progress in the latest Test batsmen rankings, while Matt Henry (a career-high ranking, moving up two spots to 9th) saw a big jump in the bowlers' category after taking eight wickets in New Zealand’s victory over India in Bengaluru. Will O'Rourke, also of New Zealand, climbed two spots to 39th after claiming seven wickets in the same match.

Pakistan spinner Nauman Ali moved back into 17th position after taking 11 wickets in two innings against England, while his teammate Sajid Khan gained 22 places to reach 50th, following his Player of the Match performance in the same game.

In the bowlers' rankings, India's Jasprit Bumrah remains at the top, with R. Ashwin securing the second spot. Ravindra Jadeja stays firm at seventh, being the third Indian in the top 10.

Bengaluru, 19 October: Rishabh Pant etched his name in the record books on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand by becoming the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to score 2500 runs in Test cricket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Pant achieved this milestone in just 62 innings, surpassing former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who reached the mark in 69 innings. Another Indian cricket legend, Farokh Engineer, previously held the record, achieving the feat in 82 innings.

Pant's impressive achievement came as India made a strong comeback on Day 4, posting 405/3, with a lead of 49 runs. Pant is currently unbeaten on 88, while Sarfaraz Ahmed is playing a crucial knock of 148 not out.

Resuming on 231/3, India looked to Pant and Sarfaraz to guide them closer to their target. Despite an injury to his knee while keeping on Day 3, Pant showed no signs of discomfort, playing in his trademark aggressive style. After a cautious start, Pant shifted gears, smashing two consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, and followed it up with a series of exquisite drives and sweeps.

Pant reached his 12th Test half-century off just 55 balls with a stunning cover drive off Glenn Phillips, showcasing his controlled aggression. Together with Sarfaraz, Pant has put on a solid partnership of 175 runs off 205 balls, keeping India in a commanding position.

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has been fined ₹12 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate during his team's IPL 2024 match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday, March 31st.

The official announcement from the IPL stated that Pant was charged for the slow over rate during the match held at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. As this was the first such offense for the Delhi Capitals this season under the IPL's code of conduct regarding minimum over rates, Pant received a ₹12 lakh fine.

It's important to note that despite the slow over rate penalty, Delhi Capitals emerged victorious in the match, defeating CSK by 20 runs. Batting first, DC set a target of 192 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs, with half-centuries from David Warner (52) and Pant himself (51), along with a quickfire knock from Prithvi Shaw (43 runs off 27 balls).

Chennai's chase fell short, with the team only managing 171 runs for 6 wickets in their allotted overs. While Ajinkya Rahane (45), Daryl Mitchell (34), and the evergreen MS Dhoni (37* off 16 balls) played crucial innings for CSK, it wasn't enough to overcome the target set by Delhi.

Delhi : In a heartwarming return, Rishabh Pant will once again lead the Delhi Capitals as captain in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The announcement was made by the franchise on Tuesday.

Pant, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is making a remarkable comeback after a 14-month absence from professional cricket due to a car accident. He has been actively participating in the Delhi Capitals' pre-season training camp in Vizag.

"We are delighted to welcome back Rishabh as our captain," said DC Chairman and Co-Owner Parth Jindal. "Grit and fearlessness have always defined his brand of cricket, and that spirit shone through even during his recovery. We can't wait to see him lead the team again as we embark on a new season with renewed passion and enthusiasm."

Team co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi echoed the sentiment, praising Pant's dedication during his challenging time. "Rishabh has shown incredible determination throughout this ordeal," said Grandhi. "His hard work will undoubtedly inspire his teammates as they begin the new season. We wish Captain Rishabh and the entire Delhi Capitals team the very best."

The Delhi Capitals will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 23rd in Chandigarh.