After a short break, Rishabh Pant is back at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to resume his rehab. While his return date is still unclear, the wicketkeeper-batter is still a work in progress following a near-fatal car crash a year ago.
In a video Rishabh Pant posted on his social media platforms, the wicketkeeper-batter returned to the gym at the NCA. After his major knee ligament reconstruction surgery in February this year, he has been focusing on a lot of gym work to strengthen his leg muscles.
Pant is focusing currently on weight training with some lifting work. The reason is pretty evident. As a wicketkeeper batter, Rishabh Pant will have to be in a squatting position throughout a match. And the lifting work at the gym will not only help him strengthen those ligaments but the weight training will also help him regain muscle strength.
While some were hopeful that he could return as early as the IND vs AFG T20 series in January, it is out of the picture for now. Even a return to the Ranji Trophy seems a far-fetched idea at the moment.
Instead, IPL 2024 is still a realistic timeline for his return. However, it’s still only up for assumption.
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.
