RISHABH Pant’s return to action will take a while and it would still be construed as a very fast recovery if he is back on the field by January, a full one year from the near-fatal high-speed car accident that he suffered on the New Year Eve.
The wicketkeeper-batter, thus, will be ruled out of the Asia Cup in September and the World Cup in October-November.
Pant was recently seen during the Delhi Capitals IPL games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium walking with the help of crutches and those close to him reveal that he will take at least a couple of weeks to walk without any help.
The general impression is that he is recovering faster than anticipated, but it will take seven to eight months to be cricket-fit. That said it could take even longer for him to do the wicketkeeping and the initial comeback period will have to be solely as a batter, which is still considered an asset.
At one stage after the accident, it was thought whether he would be back on the field at all and whether he will be able to keep at all, but there is now some optimism on the 25-year-old’s return to the field.
Pant is believed to be showing a lot of heart to return to action and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is extending all possible medical assistance. The BCCI previously said, “(It) will make every effort to aid and expedite the recovery process of Rishabh and will provide him with all the support he needs during this period.”
Pant underwent surgery for ligament tears in January and is under the care of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, head, the Centre for Sports Medicine, and director – Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai. There is a possibility he may undergo another surgery.
Pant suffered a road accident on December 30 last year and has been out of action since. He last represented India in a Test in Bangladesh in December. (Cricbuzz.com)
The exact time of his return will only be known only after he goes to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehab (Cricbuzz.com).
