What happened to Rishabh Pant? An overview of cricketer's car accident and injuries
Rishabh Pant was slated to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023
Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant is a shining star in the cricketing world, whose meteoric rise has been nothing short of spectacular. The young wicketkeeper-batter burst onto the scene and quickly cemented his place in the big leagues, dazzling audiences with his explosive batting, agile wicketkeeping skills, and infectious energy.
However, the young stumper’s career trajectory came to a grinding halt after a horrific car accident on December 30, 2022. The dynamic batter was travelling from Delhi to Roorkee when his car crashed into a divider and caught fire, leaving him with injuries to his head and a torn ligament in his right ankle.
What happened to Rishabh Pant?
Thankfully, Pant was rescued by a Good Samaritan who was passing by. Sunil, a bus driver with Haryana Roadways, saw the car crash into the divider and immediately sprang into action. Despite being unaware of who he had saved, Sunil helped Pant to safety and pulled him from the wreckage of the car with the help of a bus conductor. He then provided comfort and assistance until an ambulance arrived.
Recalling the incident in an interview with Sports Tak, Sunil explained how he had applied the brakes on his bus when he saw Pant's car in the second lane. The car was completely shattered, and Sunil feared the worst. However, he saw that the person was still alive and quickly went to his aid.
As he helped Pant out of the car, Sunil noticed that the cricketer’s clothes were torn apart, leaving him exposed. He took a sheet from a passenger to cover him up and tried to keep him calm until the ambulance arrived.
Sunil spoke about the extent of Pant's injuries, noting that he was covered in blood and that the skin on his back and waist had been peeled. He also mentioned that Pant was in shock and was limping on his feet.
Despite being shaken by the incident, Sunil was able to keep a level head and help Pant in his time of need. He called the police and the National Highway but received no response from the latter. He then helped to collect the scattered money from the car, which Pant had mentioned and handed it over to him before the ambulance arrived.
Following the accident, Pant underwent surgery for his injuries and was ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Australian batter David Warner is leading the Delhi Capitals side in Pant’s absence.
How long will Rishabh Pant be absent from cricket?
While the talented cricketer is now under the care of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, head of the Centre for Sports Medicine and director of Arthroscopy and Shoulder Service at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai, his recovery is expected to take longer than initially anticipated.
In fact, recent reports suggest that Pant will miss the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 as well, and that it could be highly optimistic to expect him back on the cricket field before January 2024. It is expected that he will take a minimum of 7-8 months to fully recover and return to playing cricket.
This news is a blow to Indian cricket, as Pant has emerged as one of the brightest talents in the game in recent years. The left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper has shown great potential and has been instrumental in some of India's recent successes. However, the team will have to make do without him for the time being.
Despite the setback, there is hope that Pant will eventually return to full fitness and form. He may have to start by playing as a pure batsman initially, as it will take more time to get him back to the fitness level required for wicketkeeping.
If further surgeries are required, then his return may be delayed further, but the most important thing is that he makes a full recovery and is able to resume his cricketing career.
Is Rishabh Pant Supporting Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023?
Meanwhile, even while recovering from a near-fatal accident, Pant has been a pillar of strength for the Delhi Capitals team, who have struggled in his absence. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been seen cheering his team on from the stands, providing much-needed morale boost to his teammates during their tough campaign in the ongoing tournament.
Pant's unwavering support for the Delhi Capitals was on full display during their matches against the Gujarat Titans and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he was seen exhorting his team to do their best and fighting spirit.
Rishabh Pant supporting Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter/@ImTanujSingh)
Although Pant's physical presence on the field has been sorely missed, his spirit and determination have been a source of inspiration for his team. Delhi Capitals have had a tough run in the tournament, struggling to find their form and languishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins and six losses.
The road to recovery for Pant has been long and arduous, but his resilience and fighting spirit have been nothing short of inspiring. His unwavering commitment to his team, even from the sidelines, is a testament to his passion for the game and his love for his teammates.
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