Rishabh Pant Ruled Out Of ICC World Cup 2023, Confirms Ishant Sharma

Rishabh Pant’s return to international cricket might take longer than expected as per the veteran Indian bowler Ishant Sharma. Pant who survived a near-fatal accident on December 31, 2022, has been out of the game since then.

Pant underwent surgery after sustaining multiple injuries in a horrific car accident late last year. As per the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recent medical update, the wicketkeeper-batter has commenced batting and keeping in the nets and is following a prescribed fitness regime.

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Speaking To Jio Cinema, Ishant shared his thoughts on the expected return of Pant back to competitive cricket. He said that since it’s a serious injury the return might take longer than expected.

“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 wicketkeeping and to run and turn after that, there are a lot of things, which is not easy for a wicketkeeper and a batter” Sharma said.

Sharma further said that he is not expecting Rishabh Pant to be fit for the World Cup adding that he is hopeful that he gets fit by the time IPL 2024 starts. In the process, he virtually ruled Pant out of the World Cup.

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Dont Think He Will Be Fit For World Cup: Ishant Sharma On Rishabh Pant

“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” Ishant added further.

Delhi Capitals in the absence of Pant finished ninth under David Warner’s captaincy in IPL 2023. Pant played his last competitive game for India in December 2022 in Dhaka.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: “He Will Become A Very Useful Player In The ODI Format” – Ishant Sharma On KL Rahul