• Source:JND
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India vs West Indies Test Series: Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, is all set to remain out of action as he will be missing the two-match Test series against the West Indies, starting in Ahmedabad from October 2.

India's selection meeting for the series is scheduled for September 24. As per a report in the ESPNCricinfo, the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will pick 15 players, which is two fewer than the squad for the New Zealand Tests last October, the last home series India played.

Pant is still recovering from a fracture sustained during India’s tour of England earlier this year. The 27-year-old missed India’s last match in that series after being struck in the foot, and will require more time as he continues to recover at the BCCI’s Centre for Excellence in Bengaluru. While Pant limped out to bat in the first innings, he was replaced by N Jagadeesan in the squad for the final Test at the Oval.

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The left-handed batter is still undertaking strength and conditioning training in Bengaluru, and he still hasn’t begun work on wicketkeeping and batting.

Earlier, reports claimed that Pant would require six weeks of rest before he could begin his recovery.

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While there is no confirmed timeline for Pant's return, India are scheduled to play a white-ball series in Australia from October 19, after the West Indies series.

In Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel is expected to be India's wicketkeeper during the West Indies series. Jurel, who is currently in Lucknow playing against Australia A. Jurel kept the wickets in the final two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. On the other hand, Jagadeesan, who opened in the first match against Australia A, could be the back-up in case the selectors opt for a second specialist wicketkeeper for the West Indies series.

The India-West Indies Tests are part of the World Test Championship (WTC). India are currently third on the WTC table, after drawing the five-match England series 2-2. The West Indies are sixth after three losses in three games.