IND vs WI 2025: Ajit Agarkar reveals Rishabh Pant's comeback timeline, explains reason behind naming Ravindra Jadeja as vice-captain

Published - 25 Sept 2025, 14:07 IST | Updated - 25 Sept 2025, 14:08 IST

BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar provided an update on wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s return to the Test side after he suffered a foot fracture during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The BCCI announced a 15-member squad for India for the two-match Test series against the West Indies, starting on October 2.

Agarkar noted that Pant has not recovered fully yet but is expected to regain full fitness in time for the home series against South Africa. In his absence, Ravindra Jadeja will continue handling the vice-captain duties, with Shubman Gill leading the team.

“We are hopeful by the time South Africa comes, he will be 100 per cent fit. Exact timelines – I know he’s not going to make these two Test matches (against West Indies) but after that he’s very close to getting fit,” said Agarkar in the press conference.

Agarkar also explained why Jadeja was named vice-captain, stating that Pant usually holds the role. However, due to Pant’s injury, the experienced Jadeja was entrusted with the responsibility, given his extensive experience in the team.

“Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain at the moment and a key player. But unfortunately, he hasn’t quite recovered to make this Test series. We are hopeful he will be available for South Africa. Jaddu has been one of top performers with a lot of experience. So that’s essentially the reason,” said Agarkar.

Jadeja is the senior-most member of the current Indian side. The southpaw is regarded as India’s most reliable all-rounder in Test cricket, and has never captained the team in this format. The left-hander was last seen in action during the England tour, where he delivered impressive performances with both bat and ball. He scored 516 runs, including a century and five half-centuries, and claimed seven wickets across five Tests.

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N Jagadeesan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav