India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was involved in a near-fatal car accident in December 2022 and has been out of action since then, is likely to 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 2023 game 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.
This means, 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. The consensus is that he is recovering faster than expected but it will take seven to eight months to be cricket-fit.
It is also believed that it will take a lot more time for him to become ready for the rigors of wicketkeeping and the initial comeback period will have to be solely as a batter.
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."
After receiving initial treatment for burns and other injuries at the Max Hospital in Dehradun, the BCCI shifted Rishabh Pant to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai.
Here he underwent surgery for ligament tears in January and is under the care of Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, head, of the Centre for Sports Medicine, and director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the said hospital.
The exact time of his return will be ascertained later on as he is at the NCA for further evaluation
(Cricbuzz Report)
