Rishabh Pant Returns to Training with Match-Simulation Drills in Bengaluru for IPL 2024
Rishabh Pant has embarked on a focused regimen of match-simulation exercises as part of his rehabilitation journey post a harrowing car accident in December 2022. His sights are set on making a comeback to competitive cricket in time for IPL 2024.
Under the supervision of trainers and physiotherapists from the National Cricket Academy, Pant and Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from an ankle injury, participated in a 20-over practice match on Tuesday at the KSCA facility in Alur, Karnataka. They will probably continue these exercises till the beginning of March. On Thursday, they are anticipated to undergo another round of conditioning and match-simulation drills.
Pant batted for the full 20 overs with minimal discomfort, according to ESPNcricinfo, and the staff that was watching him seemed happy with his level of endurance. But Pant failed to maintain wicket, and it is said that he was told to pick up that skill again in March. He is expected to play as a specialist batter for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League if he is fit in time.
As part of his lower-body fitness over the last six weeks, Pant was seen performing mobility and wicketkeeping drills in a video that he released on Instagram on Tuesday. The NCA team wants to gradually reintroduce Pant to the demands of training in a high-intensity setting so as not to overburden him.
In an earlier statement this month, Delhi’s head coach Ricky Ponting discussed “managing Pant” through the 2024 Indian Premier League if he wasn’t prepared to play in every match.
“We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and hope that he can be out there and play,” Ponting had stated. “Even if it’s not all the games, if we can manage him through 10 of the 14 games or whatever that might be, then whatever games you can get out of him will be a bonus.” Rishabh is quite certain that he will be ready to play. We’re not exactly sure in what capacity just yet. But I can assure you that if I ask him right now, he’ll respond, “I’m batting at No. 4, I’m playing every game, and I’m keeping every game.” He just acts that way, but we’ll cross our fingers.”
Since the incident in December 2022, while he was traveling from Delhi to his hometown of Roorkee to greet his family, Pant has not participated in any competitive cricket matches. Pant was evacuated to Mumbai after receiving his initial treatment in Dehradun, where he underwent knee surgery under the supervision of BCCI’s specialized consultant.
Pant has spent the majority of April at the NCA in Bengaluru undergoing rehabilitation under the direction of physiotherapist S Rajnikanth, who has experience working with multiple age-group teams in India and is also a member of the DC support staff.
Prior to this, Rajnikanth had assisted M Vijay, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik in recovering from severe injuries. Pant has also been working with another NCA physio, Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj, on mobility and speed drills.
Pant has been receiving rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru for the most of April. His physiotherapist, S Rajnikanth, is a member of the DC support staff and has worked with teams in several age groups in India.
Rajnikanth had helped M Vijay, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik recover from serious injuries before this. Additionally, Pant has been practicing mobility and speed drills with Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj, another NCA physiotherapist.
It is thought that Hardik is making a full recovery from the ankle injury he sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup. He started training in Baroda last month and visited the NCA on a regular basis to get his fitness assessed. He is apparently on schedule to take the Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 captaincy.
Hardik will be Rohit Sharma’s vice captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which starts on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s announcement last week.
