Rishabh Pant, team India's most dependable and consistent wicketkeeper batter across formats, met with a near-fatal car accident in December last year when he was travelling from Delhi to Uttarakhand to surprise his family and celebrate New Year with them. Pant suffered some serious injuries in the accident and underwent multiple surgeries. He is currently on the road to recovery, completing his rehabilitation at Bengaluru's National Cricket Academy (NCA). Since last year, Pant hasn't played any competitive cricket and is unlikely to get match-fit for upcoming ICC events - 2023 Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant's Delhi teammate in IPL, Ishant Sharma, provided a heartbreaking update about his return date and said there's a possibility that Pant, who captained Delhi Capitals in 2021 and 2022 IPL editions, might miss playing next year's IPL as well.
During a discussion on Jio Cinema, Ishant said: "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 are not easy for a wicketkeeper and a batter."
"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."
Recently, BCCI shared a medical update of five injured Indian players including Rishabh Pant. As per the official medical update shared by the BCCI, Pant has made good progress and has started batting and keeping in the nets. He is currently focusing on a fitness program designed for him, including strength, flexibility, and running.