The Board of Cricket Control in India is often considered the richest sports organization in the cricket world. The upgraded training venue of the BCCI, at Bengaluru, the Centre of Excellence, an extensive 40-acre land, often features some unique facilities to ease and also speed up the recovery of players. One such facility is the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Recently, on February 11, the Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was seen taking the HBOT. A video went viral on the internet where Rishabh was seen walking inside a white cylindrical bot, which is the HBOT machine. What happened to Rishabh Pant? Since the life-threatening accident in 2022, Rishabh Pant has been sustaining multiple injuries here and there, which often keep him away from the sport. Recently, around January, Rishabh sustained a side strain after a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah hit his ribs. It had happened at the BCA B, and the medical staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, attended to him. But Rishabh left the ground with pain. He missed the entire season after that due to the injury, opening the way for Dhruv Jurel. By that time, he had made his way to the team after recovering from a toe fracture he sustained during the Anderson-Tendulkar series. Notably, the keeper's physiotherapist reported that he was undergoing massive pain even during minor movement. And this added to the seriousness of his injuries. His recovery journey faced severe pain and mental hurdles. And at this point came the HBOT. What is an HBOT? What are the pros and cons of the feature? Normally the air has 21% oxygen in standard atmospheric pressure. However, in a hyperbaric chamber, the air pressure is typically increased to 1.5 to 3 times more than the normal pressure. It enables the lungs to have more oxygen than available in normal pressure at sea level. The treatment thus allows the patient to breathe 100% pure oxygen. It creates a situation called hyperoxygenation, helping pure oxygen dissolve into the blood plasma. This allows the tissue to get oxygen even when the blood flow is restricted or red blood cells are compromised. The super-oxygenated blood stimulated stem cells' release, helping in angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and repair of damaged tissue. It helps to kill bacteria by forming white blood cells and can be directly toxic to certain anaerobic bacteria. Even though HBOT is generally safe, it may carry risks such as pressure-related injuries, temporary vision changes, and rare oxygen toxicity, and is not recommended for people with untreated pneumothorax or certain chemotherapy treatments. Read also: Watch: Rishabh Pant Undergoes Oxygen Therapy To Boost IPL 2026 Comeback Why is HBOT used? It is not a regular treatment method but merely a support treatment system. The bot is normally a monospace chamber but can be a multispace chamber, which is normally a room with multiple people receiving oxygen via mask or hood. The treatment normally lasts for 90 to 120 minutes, while chronic issues may need multiple sessions. Like most chamber treatments, it also has a "pop" or a flying-aeroplane sound. Normally HBOT treats emergencies like carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression sickness. It also helps in wound care for severe injuries and non-healing ulcers. It treats serious infections such as gas gangrene, manages radiation-related tissue damage, and addresses any issues related to blocked blood supply. Other unique devices are available at the CoE The BCCI CoE is a tech hub when it comes to technologies required for rehabilitations. The Sports and Medical Science Block features a dedicated underwater therapy pool spa to reduce joint impact during rehab exercises. The recovery area also has a dedicated thermal therapy suite, which has a sauna, steam bath, and cold shower for contrast therapy. It reduces muscle inflammation. The indoor and outdoor facilities use Mondo synthetic material, the same high-performance flooring used in Olympic stadiums, to provide optimal grip and shock absorption for running drills. Not only that, it has a 16000-square-foot gym with the latest unique equipment for injury management and physiotherapy.