Rishabh Pant Starts Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Speed Up Recovery Ahead of IPL 2026
Lucknow Super Giants captain focuses on regaining peak fitness after injury setbacks, with an eye on India’s ODI plans for World Cup 2027.
India, Feb 12 : After enduring multiple injury setbacks over the past few years, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has adopted hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as part of his rehabilitation strategy ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Pant fractured his toe during India’s tour of England last year and returned to action in the Test series against South Africa in November. However, another injury ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand ruled him out once again, effectively ending his chances of featuring in the T20 World Cup 2026.
With the upcoming IPL now his primary target, the Lucknow Super Giants skipper is prioritising fitness to ensure he is fully prepared for the tournament. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised environment, a process known to enhance oxygen supply to tissues, promote cell repair, and accelerate healing.
Focus on long-term goals
Pant currently faces stiff competition in white ball formats, particularly in T20Is where several young wicketkeeper batters are vying for spots. Nevertheless, he remains a strong contender for India’s ODI setup, especially with the ICC World Cup 2027 approaching. Maintaining fitness will be crucial to keeping his selection prospects alive.
Reflecting on his recovery journey after returning against South Africa, Pant acknowledged the challenges of bouncing back from injuries and emphasised the importance of staying mentally strong.
“After an injury, it is never easy to come back. But God has been kind always and I’m very happy to be back,” Pant said in a video shared by the BCCI.
He added that gratitude and focusing on controllable factors have helped him navigate difficult phases. “If you keep your mind in a place where a lot of things are not affecting you and focus only on what matters, you will find happiness especially when you are injured,” he noted.
Pant also underlined the value of discipline and continuous learning, urging athletes to enjoy the process while giving their best. Having previously made a remarkable return from life threatening injuries sustained in a car accident, the 27-year-old is once again determined to overcome adversity and rebuild momentum in his international career.
