Mumbai: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Wednesday said he has been recovering well from a side strain and is hopeful of returning to competitive cricket at the earliest.
Pant has been out of the Indian team since January 10, and since then, he has been working on his fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
He sustained a right-sided internal oblique muscle tear (side strain) after being struck above the waist by a ball from a throw-down specialist during a practice session ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Pant highlighted the importance of staying mentally connected to the game during long spells of recovery, stressing that his love for cricket and the support around him have helped him through difficult phases.
“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 continuous improvement as a professional cricketer, saying time away from the field offers space for reflection and growth.
“As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in every aspect of my overall gameplay,” he said.
Reflecting on the comebacks he has made during his career, Pant said time away from the game has shaped his outlook on both cricket and life, even though being away from top-level competition remains the hardest part.
“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,” Pant said.
“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 added.
