Rishabh Pant is back: BCCI announces Team India squad for Test series against South Africa

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Team India (Men) squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The most prominent update is that Rishabh Pant is back. He has been out of the India squad after a toe fracture during a Test match against England.

Rishabh Pant fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot after being hit by a delivery from Chris Woakes during the final session of Day 1 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. The injury caused heavy swelling and bleeding, forcing him to retire hurt.

Despite the fracture, he courageously returned on Day 2 with his foot strapped and scored a fighting half-century. Doctors advised six weeks of rest, ruling him out of the England tour.

Pant completed his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). Now fully fit, he has made his comeback as India A captain against South Africa A. He scored 17 runs in his return match.

Rishabh Pant earlier brought relief to fans by confirming that he had fully recovered from the toe fracture. Describing the process as “really challenging”, Pant said the first phase focused on healing, which took around six weeks.

Once healed, he began his rehabilitation at the COE, working on physiotherapy, strength training and recovery sessions. Gradually, he rebuilt his fitness level in stages.

"Being positive is really a mindset thing. During injury, you tend to get demotivated, the energy levels are not great, you are frustrated, you know. But if you can do small, small things, what makes you feel good, you have to do that part also, especially when you are injured," Pant said.

India (Men) Test squad

India will host South Africa for a two-Test series in November as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The first Test will be played from November 14–18 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

The second Test will be held from November 22–26 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. This will be the city’s first-ever Test.

The Test series will mark South African skipper Temba Bavuma’s return from a calf injury.

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