Still recovering from a near-fatal accident and subsequent knee ligament reconstruction surgery, Rishabh Pant will miss the India tour of South Africa in December. Even though Pant has shown remarkable progress in recovery, the hero of India’s Gabba win will still need some time to be fit. If things go as per plan, Pant will return in the IND vs AFG series in January instead of the IND vs SA tour. Before that, he will have to go back to domestic cricket and regain the match fitness as well as confidence.
Rishabh Pant has been training alone with frequent visits to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The BCCI Medical team is still monitoring his progress. Pant last played a competitive cricket match back in December against Bangladesh.
“It’s still early days. It’s good that he has been batting in the nets. But he still needs some more time. He will have to go back to domestic cricket and gain the confidence back. Probably, if everything goes well, a return could be possible against Afghanistan. But again, it’s not certain yet,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Rishabh Pant Injury Timeline
- December 2022: Pant suffers horrific car accident on December 30, 2022.
- January 2023: Pant is airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment at the Kokilaben hospital.
- February 2023: Pant undergoes knee ligament reconstruction surgery in Mumbai under Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala
- February 2023: Rishabh Pant returns home after spending nearly 45 days in hospital.
- April 2023: Pant attends DC vs GT IPL match in Delhi, making first public appearance since the accident.
- April 2023: First time since his accident, Pant begins walking without support at the NCA.
- June 2023: Pant continues gym sessions with Team India players.
- August 2023: Rishabh Pant continues his recovery but bats for the first time in public eyes.
- September: Misses both Asia Cup and World Cup as recovery continues.
- October 2023: More positive news on recovery but still not fit to play in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- November 2023: Attends Delhi Capitals’ camp in Kolkata as recovery continues.
- December 2023: Rishabh Pant is present at IPL 2024 Auction Table and takes part in bidding for Mitchell Starc.
After the Cricket World Cup, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah among others will get a rest. They will assemble for a camp in Bengaluru ahead of departing for South Africa in December’s first week.
With Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy both coming up next, Rishabh Pant may return to play competitive cricket in either of the two. If everything goes well, a return is possible in IND vs AFG series in January. Else, he will eye a return in the Test series against England or the IPL 2024 in March.
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