Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has begun his preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old is currently in Ranchi, where he has been training alongside former India captain MS Dhoni ahead of the tour.
Former India spinner Shahbaz Nadeem took to Instagram on Friday to share a picture of himself with Dhoni and Pant from a gym session. Nadeem, who played two Test matches for India during his professional career, captioned the post: "Two of the best finishers of Indian cricket."
Pant and Dhoni share a close bond off the field as well. They often celebrate festivals and special occasions together, and the former India captain attended all the celebrations during Pant's sister's wedding last year. He has also previously said that Dhoni is the only person in his life with whom he can share anything. The left hand batter will be looking to bounce back strongly in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. The tour will challenge him in plenty of aspects including wicket-keeping which will be tough in spin conditions.
Rishabh Pant Eyes Redemption in Crucial Sri Lanka Test Tour
Rishabh Pant will be the first choice keeper for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 15. After a disappointing IPL 2026 season and losing his place in India's ODI and T20I teams, the Test series gives him a big chance to make a strong comeback.
Pant has represented India in 50 Test matches, scoring 3,557 runs across 87 innings. He has registered eight centuries and 19 half-centuries in the longest format and currently holds the record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter.This version reads more naturally while preserving the original facts and tone.
However, Pant's place in the playing XI will be under the scanner after this serie. Dhruv Jurel has impressed with both the bat and the gloves, making things even tougher for the wicketkeeper. Pant has also lost the Test vice-captain's role to KL Rahul, so he must now step up and shut down his critics with his bat.
India's tour of Sri Lanka will begin on August 15. The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, while the second Test is scheduled at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
