Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was recently spotted preparing for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka by spending time with former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The two players met in Ranchi, where Pant joined Dhoni for an intense training session at a local fitness facility. This special session highlights Pant's dedicated efforts to refine his game and regain his best rhythm ahead of a vital international cricket assignment.
Special Gym Session in Ranchi
The joint workout session came to light when former Indian spinner Shahbaz Nadeem uploaded a picture of the two cricketers on social media from a gym located in Ranchi. In the photograph, Dhoni was seen wearing a blue tracksuit, while Pant was dressed in a black t-shirt paired with shorts. Captioning the photograph, Nadeem wrote, "Two of the finest finishers of Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant and Mahi Bhai." The image quickly gained widespread attention among fans, reflecting the close mentorship that Dhoni continues to provide to younger Indian players.
Crucial Sri Lanka Tour for Rishabh Pant
The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka carries tremendous significance for Rishabh Pant as he seeks to solidify his standing in the Indian squad. Currently, the aggressive left-handed batter is out of India's white-ball setup, having lost his place in both the One Day International and Twenty20 International teams. However, he continues to receive consistent opportunities in the longest format of the game. Pant previously featured for Team India in the single Test match played against Afghanistan in June, and he is now determined to cement his position in the Test playing eleven.
Struggles in White-Ball Cricket and IPL 2026
Pant's exclusion from India's limited-overs squads stems from a prolonged lean patch with the bat in short-format cricket. During the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Pant represented Lucknow Super Giants but struggled to make a major impact. Across the tournament, he managed to score only 312 runs at a modest average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 138.05. These sub-par numbers in the T20 format contributed directly to his drop from the national white-ball teams, increasing the pressure on him to perform in red-ball cricket.
High Stakes for Team India in WTC Final Race
Beyond Pant's individual goals, the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka is of paramount importance for Team India as a whole. India is competing for a berth in the World Test Championship final and faces strict qualifying mathematical requirements. To maintain a strong position in the WTC standings, India must secure a clean 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka. Overall, Team India needs to win at least 7 out of its remaining 9 Test matches in the current cycle to guarantee a spot in the WTC final.
