Overview
- A photograph shared by former spinner Shahbaz Nadeem on Friday showed Pant and MS Dhoni training together at the JSCA gym in Ranchi and the image circulated widely on social media and news outlets.
- Pant has been dropped from India’s white‑ball plans but remains the Test side’s preferred keeper under captain Shubman Gill, and the Ranchi work is presented as targeted preparation for the Sri Lanka series.
- The 28‑year‑old arrives on the tour after a difficult IPL 2026 with Lucknow Super Giants, where he scored 312 runs at a 28.36 average as LSG finished last, increasing pressure on him to regain form.
- Dhoni has not played in IPL 2026 because of recurring injuries and is reported to be a candidate for a mentorship or management role with Chennai Super Kings, which frames his presence with Pant as coaching rather than a playing comeback.
- India need strong Test results to protect their World Test Championship hopes, so Pant’s fitness, shot‑making and keeping will be closely watched in the lead‑up to the first Test in Galle on August 15 and the second in Colombo on August 23.