Rishabh Pant Details 'Really Challenging' Recovery From Foot Fracture: 'I Am...'

Rishabh Pant returns to full fitness after a challenging foot fracture recovery at the CoE in Bengaluru, credits staff and physios.

Star India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant said on Friday that the recovery path from the foot fracture he suffered in England was ‘really challenging’ for him, but he’s now back to full fitness again. Pant, who is captaining India ‘A’ against South Africa ‘A’ at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, credited the physios, staff, and facilities at the CoE for aiding his recovery.

Pant picked up a toe injury in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He missed a reverse hoick against pacer Chris Woakes in the fourth Test and was struck flush on the foot at the end of July. He had to be helped out of the ground and couldn’t keep wickets anymore, even though he valiantly came to bat with his foot in a cast to help save the Test for his country. It has taken him just under three months to return to action.

“It was really challenging for me," Pant said in a BCCI video. “I had that fracture in England and had to go through the whole process. First part of the process was healing. For the first six weeks, you have to heal the fracture and then you come to the CoE. The healing went well."

“I started my rehab slowly. Went through a bit of physio work in the initial days. Then slowly moved towards working on my strength and from there started the second phase. Right now I am here with you, fully recovered, thanks to CoE for that," he added.

Pant, who has unfortunately been accustomed to spending months sidelined from competitive cricket, said it’s important to stay positive and that requires metal fortitude.

“Being positive is really a mindset thing. During injury you tend to get demotivated. The energy levels are not great, you are frustrated. But if you can do small things that make you feel good, you have to do that also. Especially when you are injured."

India ‘A’ haven’t started well against the Proteas. They conceded 309 runs in the first innings and were bowled out for 234 in the second, with Pant scoring only 17 (20). The visitors had a lead of 105 after finishing the second day at 30/0.

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