Rishabh Pant's amazing transformation (Source: @venkatatweets/x.com, @Rajiv1841/x.com)It has been a long wait since Rishabh Pant was last seen in the Indian jersey, but the wait is finally set to end as he prepares for a powerful return in the IPL 2026. But before he takes the field again, his outstanding physical transformation stole the spotlight.Injuries have often tested Rishabh Pant, yet the fearless batter has repeatedly responded with remarkable comebacks. But when he was asked about his recent physical transformation, his witty remarks grabbed the attention. Slimmer Rishabh Pant turns heads before IPL 2026 Since Rishabh Pant stormed into the Indian cricket, fans witnessed his explosive batting and remained in awe. Across the formats, the wicketkeeper batter channeled the same brilliance, but the recent scenario took a little shift. Despite Pant remaining the first choice as wicketkeeper-batter in the longest format, clouds cast over his future with the ball. In the limited format, Rishabh Pant’s last appearance came in 2024 as he missed some opportunities despite being in the squad. As the IPL 2026 is approaching, the tournament could become a crucial stage for him to reclaim his place in India’s white-ball setup. Also Read: More Injury Setback For KKR! Harshit Rana Ruled Out Of IPL 2026As the LSG skipper already started hitting the nets with all intensity, fans are watching his trademark shots in awe. But among all these, another drastic change in Rishabh Pant’s fitness is turning heads. Ahead of the upcoming season, Rishabh Pant shed some weight and looked noticeably leaner and fitter during a recent training session. But when he was asked about how much weight he had lost, he smartly avoided the question. As per the Indian Express, he said, “Woh mat puchiye (Don’t ask that).” That witty response grabbed attention. LSG eye big comeback under Rishabh Pant Since making its debut in the IPL arena, the LSG has gone through a rollercoaster journey. They reached the playoffs in their maiden season but struggled to maintain that momentum in the following years. Despite several major changes within the franchise, consistent success has remained elusive. After parting ways with KL Rahul, the franchise appointed Rishabh Pant, but nothing major shifted. With six wins in 14 matches, LSG ended the IPL 2025 journey at the seventh position of the points table. Along with the team, Pant also faced some tough times as he scored only 269 runs in 14 matches. As the new season is approaching soon, the franchise will seek a major turnaround under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy. Since their debut in 2022, the team has chased IPL glory but fallen short at crucial stages. With a stronger squad this time, they will be eager to finally clinch their maiden IPL title. A strong IPL season may open India’s white-ball doors for Rishabh Pant Despite continued red-ball brilliance, Rishabh Pant struggled to secure a place in India’s white ball startup. The wicketkeeper batter played his last ODI and T20I match back in 2024. In the 50-over format, KL Rahul has mostly taken up the wicketkeeping duties, leaving Pant on the sidelines for a prolonged period. In the shortest format, the competition became even tougher for him as Ishan Kishan made a mighty comeback. Adding to the challenge, the team has also found another promising option in Sanju Samson following his recent surge. Both players have emerged as major hurdles in Pant’s bid for a T20I comeback. As the IPL 2026 is commencing soon, the big stage of the tournament can be a massive chance for Rishabh Pant’s T20I comeback. A strong IPL campaign might force selectors to rethink his place in Team India's white-ball setup. Also Read: Rahul Dravid, Shubman Gill Among India Legends To Be Felicitated By BCCI
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