On December 30, 2022, Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batsman for India and Delhi Capitals (DC), survived a harrowing car crash while traveling from Delhi to his hometown, Roorkee, Uttarakhand. The 26-year-old cricketer was rescued from his burning car by locals and promptly rushed to the hospital.
A year later, DC released an emotional tribute video commemorating Pant’s recovery. In the poignant video, India’s all-rounder, Axar Patel, recounts the events that unfolded after learning about Pant’s accident.
Patel shares that he received calls from various sources, including BCCI, Shardul Thakur, and Ishant Sharma’s wife, Pratima Singh, all expressing concern for Pant’s well-being. Patel also reveals reaching out to Pant’s manager, who provided reassurance about the cricketer’s safety.
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“Morning around 7 or 8, my phone started ringing. I got a call from Pratima Di (Ishant Sharma’s wife), she asked me ‘when was the last time you spoke to Rishabh’. I said ‘I was going to call him yesterday but I didn’t. She said ‘ If you have his mother’s number then send me, he has met with an accident. When I first heard this, I feared the worst (ye bhai gaya),” recounted Axar Patel in a video shared by DC.
365 Days since that fateful night.
Every day since then has been nothing but full of gratitude, belief, self-care, hardwork and a never-give-up approach towards making a roaring comeback in the game that runs thick through his veins 🫰🏻
Here’s to seeing the unorthodox,… pic.twitter.com/y5TD35RCrS
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 30, 2023
“BCCI, Shardul everyone started calling me thinking I must’ve been the one who spoke to Rishabh last. I called Rishabh’s manager, he said ‘Everything’s fine. How much damage his body has, we don’t know yet but he’s safe. After that, I ended the call and took a deep breath. I was assured that he’ll fight, he’s a fighter,” he added.
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Looking ahead to IPL 2024, DC has officially confirmed that Pant will not only be participating in the upcoming season but will also lead the team. Pant’s absence was palpably felt in the 2023 season, where DC finished second to last on the points table with five wins from 14 matches. As they gear up for the upcoming season, DC is optimistic about a significant turnaround with Pant at the helm.
