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Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant involved in horror car crash

Rishabh Pant is recovering from a horror car crash after falling asleep at the wheel, and the latest prognosis is a massive blow for India’s national team. WARNING: Graphic pictures.

Ben Horn
2 min read
December 31, 2022 - 4:01PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Rishabh Pant.
Rishabh Pant.

There are fears Indian superstar Rishabh Pant has torn his ACL in the horrific car crash that could have claimed his life, after falling asleep at the wheel.

It seems almost insensitive to talk about Pant’s timeline for a cricket comeback in such harrowing circumstances, but his almost certain withdrawal from Australia’s blockbuster tour next month is a monumental blow to India.

If Pant’s knee ligament damage is confirmed as an ACL injury, he will be sidelined for the best part of 12 months and India will be without the most dynamic matchwinning wicketkeeper world cricket has seen since Adam Gilchrist.

Pant almost single-handedly engineered India’s extraordinary series triumph on Australian soil two summers ago.

He saved two Tests in a row in Sydney and Brisbane, but at the Gabba turned a rescue mission into an unforgettable win, pummelling 89 not out as India chased down over 320 on the last day.

Rishabh Pant faces a long recovery from his car crash injuries. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
Rishabh Pant faces a long recovery from his car crash injuries. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Immediate concerns though are for Pant’s physical and mental welfare, not his cricketing future, as the wife of his captain slammed Indian media for the release of graphic images of his injuries and burnt out car.

“Shame on you for posting images and videos of someone who’s hurt and unable to decide whether or not they want that out there,” Ritika Sajedeh, wife of Rohit Sharma, wrote on social media.

“They have family and friends who were terribly affected by these images. There’s journalism and then there is just insensitivity.”

It’s understood Pant fell asleep at the wheel while driving at high speed on a freeway.

He was reportedly trying to surprise his mother by returning home for New Years’ Eve and attempted the four-hour drive from Delhi to Roorkee after training.

The wicketkeeping star has suffered burns to his back as well as facial injuries and cuts to his toes and fingers after he had to smash his windshield to escape the inferno.

India’s BCCI cricket board has rallied behind Pant.

“The board will see to it that Rishabh receives the best possible medical care and gets all the support he needs to come out of this traumatic phase,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.

Cricket world rallies around star after horror accident

– Ben Horne and Daniel Cherny

Australian cricketing nemesis Rishabh Pant has suffered extensive injuries following a horror car crash in India.

Graphic images posted on social media show the Indian superstar with a bandaged head and severe injuries to his back after his BMW collided with a divider on the Delhi-Dehradun highway and burst into flames.

The wicketkeeper who almost single-handedly inspired India’s extraordinary Test series triumph by two summers ago with two all-time batting performances in Sydney and Brisbane has been admitted to hospital according to multiple news reports out of India.

Australia is due to play India in a Test series starting on February 9 but cricket would appear a long way from Pant’s mind now after his nightmare crash which he appears lucky to have walked away from.

It’s been reported Pant had to break the car’s glass windows to escape the inferno that engulfed his vehicle.

“Praying for Rishabh Pant. Thankfully he’s out of danger,” Indian cricket great, VVS Laxman tweeted.

“Wishing him a speedy recovery. Get well soon champ.”

Pant was reportedly treated for head, back and feet injuries but is understood to be in a stable condition.

Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli (right).
Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli (right).

In pictures captured from the crash site, Pant’s white BMW is completely burnt out.

Pant was driving home to Roorkee from Delhi when the accident occurred.

Earlier this month, England cricket great Andrew Flintoff was also lucky to walk away from a car accident suffered while filming an episode for British TV show Top Gear.

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Originally published as Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant involved in horror car crash

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/cricket/indian-cricket-star-rishabh-pant-involved-in-horror-car-crash/news-story/b157af552f54f858e17bf559bbe13430