Rishabh Pant, India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman, faced one of the toughest challenges of his life on December 30, 2022, when he was involved in a terrifying car accident. Pant, who had already made a name for himself as one of the most fearless cricketers in the world, suddenly found himself fighting for survival on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. His Mercedes SUV rammed into a divider near Roorkee in Uttarakhand, flipped several times, and then caught fire. Thankfully, bystanders including a bus driver and a conductor from Haryana Roadways risked their lives to rescue him.
The story of Rishabh Pant’s accident, the quick actions of locals, and his incredible road to recovery is nothing short of inspiring. Let’s look deeper into what exactly happened, how Pant was saved, the injuries he suffered, and how he has returned to the game he loves.
How the Accident Happened
It is considered that the accident occurred late in the morning between five and seven but so far, there has been no confirmation of the exact time when it occurred. On the highway he lost control of his car and crashed into the divider at high speed; it spiraled out of control and flipped over before catching on fire. Eyewitnesses indicated that the collision was so extreme that in a few minutes the vehicle became almost disintegrated.
Pant was not with anyone in the car and he could break the windshield trying to escape. It is in the courageous deeds of onlookers that his life was saved. One of the first on the spot was that of a Haryana Roadways bus driver Sushil Kumar and his conductor, Paramjeet Singh. Pant was forced out by them once the car began to burn up. In their absence of mind, everything could have turned out to be very different.
The Heroic Rescue
The first-hand account of Sushil Kumar, the bus driver who rescued Pant, provides a clear picture of how the events unfolded. Kumar said he saw Pant’s speeding car lose balance and crash into the divider. The vehicle rolled onto the opposite side of the highway and quickly caught sparks. Realizing the urgency, Kumar stopped his bus and, along with conductor Paramjeet, rushed towards the burning car.
They encountered Pant who was hurt and confused and trapped inside. The two men dragged him out with difficulty and just then the flames began to spread more. Soon the rest of the people had joined as they all tried to get Pant to the road. Kumar mentioned that Pant was twice advised on how he was feeling and was even asked to take some water to get calmed down. The conductor first did not identify him but he immediately informed Kumar that they had rescued an Indian cricketer who happened to be someone famous.
The locals next attempted to contact the emergency services. The National Highway helpline did not respond but within a short time the police and an ambulance were contacted. In 15 minutes Pant was transferred to a local hospital.
Injuries and Hospitalization
After Rishabh Pant Car Accident, Have been rescued, Pant was initially admitted to the Saksham Hospital Multispecialty and Trauma Centre in Roorkee. His early injuries were treated and his condition was stabilized by doctors. He was eventually shifted to Max Hospital, Dehradun, for a higher level of care.
Pant had received some injuries, such as cuts on the forehead, abrasions on the back and tears in ligaments in his knee and ankle. Additional MRI images are used to demonstrate the absence of life-threatening craniomaxillary and spine injury. His treatment was subsequently absorbed into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and he was taken by plane to Mumbai a few days later to be operated on and put through a lengthy rehabilitation program.
Timeline Of Rishabh Pant Car Accident and Recovery
Date | Event |
December 30, 2022 | Pant’s Mercedes SUV crashes near Roorkee around 5:30 am |
December 30, 2022 | Rescued by bus driver Sushil Kumar and conductor Paramjeet Singh |
December 30, 2022 | Taken to Saksham Hospital, later shifted to Max Hospital, Dehradun |
January 2023 | Airlifted to Mumbai for surgeries on knee and ankle |
2023 | Year-long rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru |
March 2024 | Declared fully fit by NCA and returned to IPL as Delhi Capitals captain |
The Setback in His Cricket Career
Before the accident, Rishabh Pant was in brilliant form. He had recently played a match-winning knock of 93 runs in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, helping India win the series 2-0. He was also preparing to head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for strength and conditioning ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Unfortunately, the accident ruled him out of the entire cricket season of 2023, including the Indian Premier League.
Pant’s absence was deeply felt by both the Indian cricket team and his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. For a cricketer who thrives on constant play and momentum, the long break was extremely challenging.
Pant’s International Career Highlights
Rishabh Pant has been a highly anticipated talent in contemporary cricket. He debuted in T20I in the 2017 match against England, which made him the youngest Indian representative in the shortest format at the time. He quickly entered the Test arena in 2018 in England and made a bang with his first ball, getting a six.
He was later to score centuries in England and Australia, becoming the first Indian keeper to do so abroad. It was because of his fearless batting, especially during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he led India to a historic win at the Gabba, that he became a household name.
Pant and the IPL
Since joining the Delhi Capitals in 2016, Rishabh Pant has been one of their most important players. From his early days of explosive batting to eventually captaining the side, Pant has grown with the franchise. He was retained for a massive sum of ₹16 crore for the 2022 IPL season, cementing his role as the face of the team.
However, the 2023 season had to be played without him due to his injuries from the accident. His comeback in the IPL 2024 as captain of Delhi Capitals was celebrated widely by fans who were eager to see him back in action.
His Road to Recovery and Return
Recovering from a serious accident is never easy, especially for an athlete whose body is his greatest asset. Pant had to undergo surgeries for torn ligaments in his knee and ankle, followed by months of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
The National Cricket Academy (NCA) was instrumental in his recovery of his fitness. Reports indicate that Pant slaved to perfection by ensuring his extreme braveness that is normally used on the field is applied off the field as well. By the beginning of 2024, doctors had announced that he was up to full fitness and will be allowed to play competitive cricket once again.
The comeback of Pant to the IPL was emotional not only to him but millions of cricket fans who had hoped that he would recover.
What Makes Rishabh Pant Special
Pant is not just another cricketer. His style of play is aggressive, fearless, and entertaining. He has the rare ability to change the course of a match in just a few overs. Whether it is hitting spinners for sixes in Test matches or finishing games in T20s, Pant plays cricket with a joy and freedom that fans love.
Beyond his batting, he is also a skilled wicketkeeper who has proven his ability behind the stumps in all formats. His journey from a small-town boy in Roorkee to becoming India’s star wicketkeeper-batsman makes his accident and comeback even more inspiring.
Conclusion
The Rishabh Pant car accident was a shocking incident that reminded everyone how unpredictable life can be. What could have been a tragic loss for Indian cricket turned into a story of survival, courage, and determination. Thanks to the quick actions of brave bystanders and the excellent medical care he received, Pant not only survived but has now returned to the sport stronger than ever.
It is a real-life story of resilience, his travel back to his cricket field after the accident. Pant remains an inspiring figure to millions to this day, not only because of his courage at the plate, but his role as an example of overcoming any setback.
FAQs
Q1: When did Rishabh Pant’s car accident happen?
Ans. The accident happened on December 30, 2022, on the Delhi-Dehradun highway near Roorkee.
Q2: Who rescued Rishabh Pant from the burning car?
Ans. He was rescued by Haryana Roadways bus driver Sushil Kumar and conductor Paramjeet Singh.
Q3: What injuries did Pant suffer in the accident?
Ans. Pant suffered ligament tears in his knee and ankle, cuts on his forehead, and abrasions on his back.
Q4: How long was Pant out of cricket due to the accident?
Ans. He missed the entire 2023 season, including the IPL, and returned in 2024.
Q5: Is Rishabh Pant playing cricket again?
Ans. Yes, Pant has fully recovered and made his comeback in the IPL 2024 as captain of Delhi Capitals.
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