We might not see Rishabh Pant in the next IPL too: Ishant Sharma

Rishabh Pant suffered a car accident in December 2022 and has been out of action since then.

Rishabh Pant, who met with a terrible car accident last year, had to undergo surgery after sustaining multiple injuries. Since then, Pant has been working hard on his recovery and has been posting videos online about his rehab.

Due to injuries, Pant had to miss out on representing Delhi Capitals in the last edition of IPL. The team finished at the ninth position in his absence and had a horrid run throughout the tournament. However, Based on the current medical update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rishabh Pant has been recovering well and has begun his cricket training.

According to the release from the BCCI, the Indian wicket-keeper has been batting in the nets and also keeping wickets. Pant has been following the prescribed fitness regimen to get back to normal as well. However, Ishant Sharma feels that Pant is unlikely to return to competitive cricket any soon. He said that since it was not a minor injury, it would be difficult for Rishabh Pant to return soon.

"I feel we might not see Rishabh Pant in the next IPL as well because it is not a small injury. It was a very serious accident. He has just started batting and wicket-keeping and to run and turn after that, there are a lot of things, which is not easy for a wicketkeeper and a batter," Ishant Sharma said during a discussion on Jio Cinema.

Ishant Sharma also ruled out Pant from the upcoming World Cup. "The good thing is that he didn't have a second surgery. If he had undergone a second surgery, he would have been out for even longer. He has had one surgery now but I don't think he will be fit for the World Cup for sure. Hopefully, if he gets fit for the IPL, it will be great," he said.

We want to see you back: Aakash Chopra to Rishabh Pant

Aakash Chopra also shared his opinion about Rishabh Pant. He said that the Indian keeper is once-in-a-generation player and everyone wants to see him back soon.

"There is no doubt that he is a special player. He has done a few things which a wicket-keeper batter from India has not done previously, that includes a few centuries in Test matches outside India. He is a once-in-a-generation player. It seems the guy is genetically very strong. Wish you all the best Rishabh, we want to see you back," Aakash Chopra said.

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer also added that it will take some time for the Indian keeper to recover. He also said that Pant is an important player for India. "There is no doubt that he is a special player. He has done a few things which a wicket-keeper batter from India has not done previously, that includes a few centuries in Test matches outside India. He is a once-in-a-generation player. It seems the guy is genetically very strong. Wish you all the best Rishabh, we want to see you back," he said.

Rishabh Pant has been a star for India in Test cricket. He averages close to 44 with 2271 runs in 33 matches. He has featured in 30 ODIs and has scored 865 runs so far.