Pant back home for rehab after foot fracture, eyes West Indies Tests

India's Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant has returned home and will begin a rehabilitation programme at the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after fracturing his right foot during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on July 23, team sources and medical assessments indicate. Pant, who left England only in recent days after staying for further evaluation, is aiming to be fit for India's two-match home Test series against the West Indies beginning October 2, though medical updates and team officials describe his return as tentative.

The injury occurred when a delivery from Chris Woakes struck Pant on the right foot as he attempted a reverse sweep on the opening day at Manchester. Pant retired hurt on 37, but returned the following day with heavy strapping to add 54 before being dismissed. The fracture forced him out of the series finale at The Oval and ruled him unavailable for selection in India's Asia Cup squad, leading selectors to include Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma as wicketkeeping options for the tournament starting September 9.

After remaining in England for post-series monitoring, Pant flew to Mumbai to consult medical...