Rishabh Pant, the young and talented wicket-keeper batsman for India's national cricket team, has had a difficult start to the new year. On the morning of December 30th, Pant was involved in a terrifying car accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. While driving his Mercedes, Pant's car collided with a road divider and caught fire, leaving him with multiple injuries.
Pant was rushed to Saksham Hospital Multispecialty and Trauma Centre in Dehradun, and is currently being treated at Max Hospital in the same city. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pant suffered two cuts on his forehead, a ligament tear in his right knee, and injuries to his right wrist, ankle, and toe in the accident. He has also sustained abrasions on his back. Despite the severity of these injuries, Pant's MRI results for his brain and spine were normal, and he underwent plastic surgery to manage his facial injuries and lacerated wounds.
However, Pant has experienced excessive pain and swelling, which has delayed his MRI for his right knee and ankle. In light of these developments, the BCCI has decided to transfer Pant to Mumbai for further treatment and recovery. DDCA Director Shyam Sharma confirmed that Pant will be taken to an as-yet-unnamed hospital in Mumbai, where he will undergo additional tests and receive the best possible care. Sharma also stated that the ligament tear in Pant's right knee will be evaluated by a team of BCCI doctors, who will determine the course of treatment.
Pant's transfer to Mumbai has been met with concern and well wishes from the cricket community. Many fans and fellow players have taken to social media to express their support for Pant and hope for his swift recovery. The DDCA Director, Sharma, has assured that Pant will receive top-notch care in Mumbai, saying, "All of his tests (including the MRI) will happen there and he will be taken care of very well. God willing, everything will be fine."
Pant has enjoyed a successful career with the national team, and was part of the squad that secured a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh in December 2022. In the second Test of that series, Pant hit a match-winning 93 in the first innings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. He is an integral part of the Indian cricket team, and his absence will certainly be felt. Here's hoping that Pant makes a full and speedy recovery from his injuries, and that we see him back on the field as soon as possible.