Rishabh Pant is facing a race against time to regain full fitness before ODI World Cup 2023 which will be played in India later this year. Pant who survived a horrific car accident on December 30, 2022, is currently in National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru to get back to his old self. Earlier this week, Pant posted a video of himself doing weight training and balancing on the injured leg. However, despite all positive signs, Pant’s Delhi Capitals (DC) teammate Ishant Sharma feels that the wicketkeeper-batter would not be able to recover before the quadrennial event.
“I feel we might not see Rishabh Pant in the next IPL as well because it is not a small injury. It was a very serious accident. He has just started batting and wicketkeeping and to run and turn after that, there are a lot of things, which is not easy for a wicketkeeper and a batter,” said Ishant on JioCinema who is currently in the panel of commentators for India tour of West Indies.
“The good thing is that he didn't have a second surgery. If he had undergone a second surgery, he would have been out for even longer. He has had one surgery now but I don't think he will be fit for the World Cup for sure. Hopefully, if he gets fit for the IPL, it will be great,” the 34-year-old added.
A day after Pant posted videos of his weight training Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a medical update on Pant and teammates KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. It said that the Pant has started batting and keeping in the nets.
“He has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and has commenced batting as well as keeping in the nets. He is currently following a fitness programme designed for him which includes strength, flexibility and running,” the press release mentioned.
Pant was dearly missed in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. In his absence, India lost the final to Australia whereas DC lost too many matches and were knocked out of playoffs race early.
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