Rishabh Pant's Injury Timeline

Rishabh Pant's injury timeline [Source: AFP]On Monday evening, the BCCI revealed Rishabh Pant's injury status ahead of the New Zealand A series. The Indian contingent is set to travel to New Zealand for an all-format tour, and in the lead-up, they will play three unofficial Tests starting October 24.Rishabh Pant sustained a side strain during the recent Irani Cup match and is now officially out of the first two preparatory games. Earlier, his name had an asterisk, implying his participation was subject to fitness. Kumar Kushagra is named as a replacement for the first two matches, while Pant's availability for the third match will be assessed over time.As he cops another injury blow, here's a brief look at the timeline of Rishabh Pant's injury-riddled few years.1. December 2022- Car crashThe most bone-chilling injury Rishabh Pant had was off the field, i.e., in the car crash on his way to Delhi in December 2022. He suffered multiple severe injuries, including a significant blow to his knee. He tore all major ligaments — ACL, PCL, LCL — in the right knee and sustained cuts on his forehead.Furthermore, he also hurt his wrist, ankles, toes and back and missed almost 15 months of on-field action.ALSO READRishabh Pant's Batting Position For IPL 2027 Revealed By DC Head Coach Sourav Ganguly2. July 2025- Toe fractureDuring India's tour of England in 2025, Rishabh Pant was struck straight on his toe when he tried to reverse-lap Chris Woakes. Pant was in brilliant form at the time, having already scored two hundreds and two fifties.He returned to bat at the end of the innings, but Pant was subsequently ruled out of the rest of the series and missed a couple of months of action again.3. November 2025- Forearm injuryUpon Rishabh Pant's return from the toe fracture, he was named India A captain against South Africa A for two unofficial Tests. During his batting, he was struck by a Tshepo Moreki delivery on his left forearm and had to go off the field for a while before returning to action.4. January 2026- Side strainDays ahead of New Zealand's tour of India ODIs in 2026, Pant suffered a right-sided lateral abdominal oblique muscle tear while he was preparing to be KL Rahul's backup keeper. Dhurv Jurel was named his replacement, and since then, Pant has not been able to return to the ODI setup.5. April 2026 - Elbow injuryWhen Pant's Lucknow Super Giants faced the Royal Challengers Bengaluru during a tough IPL 2026 season, the southpaw was hit by a Josh Hazlewood delivery on the elbow during the third over of the innings. He was in visible distress and had to go off the field momentarily.6. August 2026- Wrist injuryIn India's last Test assignment on the tour of Sri Lanka, the 29-year-old was batting well when, in the 58th over, a Lahiru Kumara bouncer rushed him into the shot. Pant completely missed the ball, and the ball hit the strap of his gloves. Once again, he was retired hurt with a swollen wrist.7. October 2026- Side strainWeeks ahead of India's high-profile tour of New Zealand, Pant was leading the Rest of the India squad in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir. During the match, once again he faced side strain issue and on October 12, it was confirmed that he will miss the first two unofficial Tests in Lincoln and Christchurch.ALSO READFirst Hat-Trick In Each Country That Has Hosted A Test Match