Rishabh Pant, team India’s most reliable and consistent wicketkeeper batsman across all formats, suffered a near-fatal car accident in December last year while traveling from Delhi to Uttarakhand to surprise his family and celebrate New Year with them. Pant suffered serious injuries in the accident and underwent multiple surgeries. He is currently on the road to recovery and is completing his rehabilitation at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA). Since last year, Pant has not played competitive cricket and is unlikely to get match fit for the upcoming ICC events – 2023 Asia Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s Delhi teammate in IPL, Ishant Sharma, gave a heartbreaking update on his return date saying that there is a possibility that Pant, who captained Delhi Capitals in the 2021 and 2022 IPL editions, could also miss next year’s IPL.

While discussing Jio Cinema, Ishant said, “I think we may not see Rishabh Pant very well in the next IPL, because it’s not a minor injury. It was a very serious accident. He just started batting and wicketkeeper, and to run and turn after that, there are many things that are not easy for a wicketkeeper and a batsman.”

“The good thing is that he didn’t have a second surgery. If he had a second surgery, he would have been out even longer. He’s had one surgery now, but I don’t think he will be fit for the World Cup for sure. Hopefully it will be great if he gets fit for the IPL.”

Recently, BCCI shared a medical update of five injured Indian players, including Rishabh Pant. According to the official medical update shared by the BCCI, Pant has made good progress and has started batting and netting. He is currently focusing on a fitness program designed for him, including strength, flexibility and running.