India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is nearing his highly anticipated return to competitive cricket, bringing a ray of hope to fans who have felt his absence in Team India's fold post his horrific car accident last year. As per a report by News 18, Pant is expected to regain full fitness around the time of India's five-match Test series against England. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning a cautious approach, preferring not to rush his return in Test cricket.
Instead, the BCCI is eyeing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the ideal platform for Pant's comeback. It is anticipated that the star southpaw might feature from the start of the tournament. Pant, Delhi Capitals skipper, is making good progress in his recovery, already engaging in running and weight training exercises, and is reportedly recovering faster than initially expected.
News 18 reported that while there were initial concerns about Pant's ankle and knee post-injury, the BCCI is satisfied with his current progress. The plan is to gradually increase his training intensity, preparing him for high-level training and match simulations. This news marks a significant positive development for both Pant and his fans eagerly awaiting his return to action.
Rishabh Pant's recuperation process has been notably successful, even surpassing initial expectations. The primary focus has been on how his knee and ankle would respond following the injury, particularly the knee, which had undergone ligament tears and surgeries. The positive engagement of both the ankle and knee during his recovery has been a major highlight, considering the significant strain these joints endure during wicketkeeping. The next phase of recovery involves progressively increasing the load on his body, with plans to start running at full intensity by next week, News 18 reported.
Currently, Pant's running exercises, both on the ground and on the treadmill, are at about 80-90 per cent of maximum intensity. Alongside this, he's also working out on the spin bike. The goal at this stage is to prepare his body for more demanding tests, including high-intensity training and match simulations. Consequently, Pant has commenced muscle strengthening exercises, focusing on compound movements that target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Special emphasis is being placed on enhancing lower-body strength and conditioning to support his rigorous cricketing activities.
A source close to Rishabh Pant's rehabilitation process revealed insights into his planned comeback, indicating that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) intends to reintroduce Pant to competitive cricket through shorter formats. This approach mirrors the recovery path taken by Jasprit Bumrah, who initially played T20 Internationals against Ireland before progressing to the 50-over format.
Pant had a serious accident last year, which kept him on sidelines of cricket. He has been diligently working towards his comeback, which is eagerly anticipated by both the Delhi Capitals and the Indian Cricket Team. Recent reports suggest that initially, Pant might participate in the tournament solely as a batter, easing back into the rigors of competitive cricket.
Notably, England have only won a Test series in India once since 1984, completing a 2-1 victory in late 2012.
England vs India's schedule for five-match Test series in 2024
1st Test: January 25-29, 2024 (Hyderabad)
2nd Test: February 2-6, 2024 (Vizag)
3rd Test: February 15-19, 2024 (Rajkot)
4th Test: February 23-27, 2024 (Ranchi)
5th Test: March 7-11, 2024 (Dharamsala)
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