Rishabh Pant's Cricket Comeback: Doctor Reveals Harrowing Details of Near-Fatal Car Crash and Grueling Recovery

Following a devastating car accident in December 2022, Rishabh Pant's first question, as he lay in a Mumbai hospital with critical injuries, was a testament to his unwavering passion: "Will I be able to play again?" This was revealed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the leading orthopedic surgeon who oversaw his treatment.

Rishabh Pant's resilience shines through after a challenging recovery.

The accident occurred as Pant was driving from Delhi to his hometown of Roorkee. He lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a crash that left him with multiple severe injuries after his car collided with a divider and ignited.

"Rishabh Pant was extremely lucky to be alive," Dr. Pardiwala stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

Dr. Pardiwala recounted the extent of Pant's injuries to The Telegraph: "When he first came in, he had a dislocated right knee. He also had an injury to his right ankle, lots of other minor injuries all over. He had a lot of skin loss...the entire skin from the nape of the neck down to his knees was completely scraped off."

He further explained how broken glass exacerbated the situation, "scraping off a lot of the skin and the flesh from his back."

The subsequent 635 days were marked by relentless recovery efforts, including multiple surgeries, intensive physiotherapy, and an unyielding spirit, culminating in a remarkable comeback.

Dr. Pardiwala noted the life-threatening nature of the accident: "To be in an accident like this, where the car actually overturns and blows up, the risk of death is extremely high." He also highlighted the potential for Pant to have lost blood supply to his right leg, a complication that could have led to amputation.

The doctor elaborated on the potential for nerve or blood vessel damage in such severe knee dislocations, emphasizing that the time window to restore blood supply is limited to four to six hours to avoid limb loss. Pant's fortunate escape from this complication was crucial.

While Pant's immediate concern was his return to cricket, his mother's question to Dr. Pardiwala was more fundamental: "Is he ever going to be able to walk again?"

Dr. Pardiwala detailed the extensive reconstructive surgery required for Pant's knee and the long healing process needed to regain basic functions like range of motion, strength, and stability.

On January 6, 2023, a complex four-hour surgery was performed to reconstruct three ligaments and repair the tendons and meniscus in Pant’s right knee.

The initial recovery phase was particularly challenging, with Pant experiencing significant swelling and limited mobility in his hands. Simple tasks like brushing his teeth were initially impossible. However, he gradually regained his independence, eventually walking without crutches after four months.

Despite these positive signs, Dr. Pardiwala remained uncertain about Pant's return to professional cricket. He explained that the primary goal for most patients with similar injuries is to regain a normal life with basic mobility and recreational sports participation. He offered Pant hope but emphasized a step-by-step approach, starting with the surgery.

Dr. Pardiwala recalled telling Pant after the surgery that surviving the accident and preserving his limbs were "two miracles down," and returning to competitive cricket would be a "third miracle."

Pant's determination was unwavering. He inquired about the timeline for a potential return, and Dr. Pardiwala estimated around 18 months.

Pant dedicated much of 2023 to recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where his progress exceeded expectations.

Dr. Pardiwala praised Pant's relentless pursuit of normalcy and his exceptional drive, stating that he "pushed harder than normal people" in his recovery.

From the brink of a career-ending – and potentially life-ending – tragedy, Rishabh Pant's journey back to the Indian dressing room stands as a testament to his resilience and a truly miraculous achievement.