India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Tuesday offered a positive update on his recovery, saying his fitness is steadily improving and that he is optimistic about returning to competitive cricket soon. Pant was speaking on the sidelines of the World Pickleball League, where he attended as the co-owner of Mumbai Pickle Power. The 28-year-old revealed that he has been putting in extensive work at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of his rehabilitation programme.
“My fitness is getting better day by day. I am working hard at the Center of Excellence and I think I’m going to be out (on the field) soon,” Pant said. Pant underlined how important it has been for him to stay mentally connected to cricket during long spells away from the field. He credited his deep love for the game, along with the backing of those around him, for helping him navigate the challenges of recovery. “When I am injured, one thing that always keeps me close to the game is the love for the game and the support from the people around you,” he said. The left-hander also spoke about the need for constant evolution as a professional athlete, stressing that improvement does not stop even during injury breaks. “As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in each and every aspect of my overall gameplay,” Pant said. Reflecting on the multiple comebacks he has made in his career, Pant noted that time away from cricket has given him a fresh perspective on both the sport and life beyond it. However, he admitted that being cut off from top-level competition remains the toughest part of an injury layoff. “Every comeback has taught me something about life. It has taught me more gratitude, how you see things around you, and wanting to be committed to something that really makes you happy. “When I am injured, the thing I miss the most is really enjoying the game. You love the game so much, but you also enjoy it while playing it at the top level. That’s something I miss truly,” he signed off. Pant has been sidelined since January 10 after suffering a right-sided internal oblique muscle tear during a practice session in Vadodara, when he was struck above the waist by a throwdown specialist.
