Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was recently seen spending time with former captain MS Dhoni at his residence in Ranchi. A video circulating on social media captured the two cricketers driving out of Dhoni's farmhouse, with the Chennai Super Kings veteran behind the wheel of his Mercedes GLE 450 and Pant sitting in the passenger seat.
This meeting occurs as Pant prepares for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to commence on August 15 in Galle. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was last seen in competitive action during India's one-off home Test against Afghanistan in June, where he contributed a significant 81-run knock off 121 balls in a match that India won by an innings and 300 runs.
Despite his status as a key member of the Test squad, Pant faced a challenging period in white-ball cricket, having been overlooked by selectors for tours of Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe in favor of Ishan Kishan. His recent form has also drawn criticism from former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, who expressed surprise at Pant's inclusion for the Sri Lanka series.
De Villiers questioned Pant's confidence levels following a difficult 2026 Indian Premier League campaign, where Pant captained the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Under his leadership, the team managed only four wins in 14 matches and finished at the bottom of the points table. Pant also struggled individually, scoring 312 runs across 13 innings at a strike rate of 138.05. Reflecting on the selection, de Villiers stated in a YouTube video that while Pant appeared low on confidence and energy during the IPL, representing his country might bring out the best in him, adding that he hopes to see the player perform with intensity.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 IPL, Pant stepped down from his captaincy role at LSG and was subsequently traded back to his former franchise, the Delhi Capitals, in a deal that saw left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav move the other way.
We'll see what his fitness looks like and his appetite to want to perform.
