'I need to keep...': Rishabh Pant provides massive update on his return from injury

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been out of action since early January after having suffered an internal oblique muscular tear before the first ODI against New Zealand. His last international appearance came in the Test series against South Africa in November, 2025 while his last appearance in competitive cricket came for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order for India when it comes to both T20Is and ODIs, but is still their first-choice wicketkeeper in the longest format. Though fitness concerns have proved a to be a huge thorn in Pant's way, he has not given up and is eager to make his international comeback as soon as he can.

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“As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in each and every aspect of my overall gameplay," Pant said on the sidelines of the World Pickleball League.

Fitness update on Pant

Pant provided a big update on his fitness and said that his condition is getting better with every passing day. He is hopeful of getting fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) soon. He also reflected on his time away from cricket and said that it has helped in changing his outlook about life.

“My fitness is getting better day by day. I am working hard at the Centre of Excellence, and I think I’m going to be out (on the field) soon," Pant stated.

“Every comeback has taught me something about life. It has taught me more gratitude, how you see things around you, and wanting to be committed to something that really makes you happy. When I am injured, the thing I miss the most is really enjoying the game. You love the game so much, but you also enjoy it while playing it at the top level. That’s something I miss truly," he added.

Pant's recent performance

Meanwhile, Pant's performance for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was decent and he ended up scoring 212 runs from six innings, including two half-centuries. He was then picked in India's squad for the one-day assignment against New Zealand, but got ruled out of the ODI series after being struck above the waist by a ball during a practice session.