Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is on the path to recovery after a harrowing car crash on December 30, 2022, left him with multiple injuries. While he has made remarkable progress following surgeries, it appears he won’t be ready for the upcoming T20I series against Australia after the World Cup, or the tour of South Africa in December.
The schedule for India’s South Africa tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches. Unfortunately, Pant won’t be a part of this lineup.
Instead, the 26-year-old is eyeing a comeback in the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan, set to begin on January 11 in Mohali. Following this, England’s India tour kicks off in the same month with the first Test scheduled for January 25 in Hyderabad.
Before his international return, Pant is expected to feature in some domestic cricket matches. The 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, commencing on November 23 and running until December 16, provides a potential opportunity. Additionally, the new season of the Ranji Trophy is set to begin on January 5.
However, the timeline for Pant’s return remains uncertain. A senior BCCI official emphasized that while he has resumed batting in the nets, Pant still needs more time to regain his confidence. A return against Afghanistan is possible, but it’s not confirmed yet. His journey back to the international stage continues, and fans eagerly await the return of the explosive batter.