BCCI eyeing to get Rishabh Pant ready for ODI World Cup 2023 - Reports

Rishabh Pant has been out of action since his near-fatal car accident in December 2022.

Rishabh Pant, the Indian keeper-batter, is reportedly eyeing his return to cricket for the ODI World Cup 2023 which will be played in India in October-November this year, as his recovery is progressing faster than expected.

Rishabh Pant's betterment has surprised the BCCI and the medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where the India wicket-keeper is undergoing rehabilitation after he survived a serious car crash last December.

While the BCCI is aiming to expedite Pant's rehabilitation in order to try to get him ready for the ODI World Cup this year, ESPNCricinfo reports that the recuperation process is likely to take longer. However, Pant, who recently began to walk without crutches and ascend stairs without any support, has not been undeterred by the possibility of not playing any cricket in 2023.

Rishabh Pant doing aqua therapy and swimming at NCA to boost his recovery

While skill work is still "quite some time away," Pant is thought to be mostly pain-free, and under the direction of physio S Rajnikanth—who has previously worked with several India age-group teams and has also been a member of the Delhi Capitals support staff—he is increasing his lower-body and upper-body mobility exercises.

Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj, another NCA physio, has been with Pant ever since he was airlifted to Mumbai, days after the car crash.

Pant is thought to combine sessions of aqua therapy, light swimming, and table tennis with his rehabilitation.

Pant last played for India against Bangladesh last year and made his first public appearance during the IPL 2023 when he came to Arun Jaitley stadium to cheer Delhi Capitals.