Rishabh Pant's Miraculous Recovery from Near-Fatal Car Crash

Strategic Insights -

Indian cricket sensation Rishabh Pant was involved in a near-fatal car crash on the Delhi-Dehradun highway on December 30, 2022. The 25-year-old Pant's car overturned and caught fire, but he and two passers-by managed to escape, suffering severe injuries, including a dislocated right knee, an injury to his right ankle, and significant skin loss.

"It was extremely lucky that he was alive," said Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, the orthopaedic surgeon who treated Pant. "The risk of death in an accident like this is extremely high."

Pant underwent a four-hour surgery to reconstruct his right knee, which was put under general anaesthetic on January 6, 2023. He remained in hospital for another 24 days before being discharged, and then stayed in a hotel near the hospital for three weeks before moving into accommodation by the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

The rehabilitation process was grueling, with Pant doing two sessions with physiotherapists or strength and conditioning coaches every day, each lasting up to 3.5 hours. He also underwent aqua therapy sessions in the swimming pool. The program had three phases: restoring range of movement, strengthening muscles, and regaining balance and agility.

Despite the challenges, Pant made a remarkable recovery, returning to professional cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March 2024, just 14 months after the accident. He received an emotional standing ovation as he walked out to bat for the first time and then averaged 40.5 in the IPL season, keeping wicket in every match.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rishabh Pant was involved in a near-fatal car crash on December 30, 2022, which left him with severe injuries, including a dislocated right knee and significant skin loss.
  • Pant underwent a four-hour surgery on January 6, 2023, to reconstruct his right knee and then underwent a grueling rehabilitation process.
  • Pant did two sessions with physiotherapists or strength and conditioning coaches every day, each lasting up to 3.5 hours, and also underwent aqua therapy sessions in the swimming pool.
  • Pant made a remarkable recovery, returning to professional cricket in the IPL in March 2024, just 14 months after the accident.
  • He received an emotional standing ovation as he walked out to bat for the first time and then averaged 40.5 in the IPL season, keeping wicket in every match.
  • Pant's rehabilitation process was aided by the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and the physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches who worked with him.
  • Pant's return to cricket has been marked by a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation for life, with him saying, "He recognises the fact that he is extremely lucky to be alive."

Statistics:

  • 25 years old: Rishabh Pant's age at the time of the car crash.
  • 4 hours: The length of Pant's surgery on January 6, 2023.
  • 24 days: The amount of time Pant remained in hospital after his surgery.
  • 3 weeks: The amount of time Pant stayed in a hotel near the hospital after being discharged.
  • 14 months: The amount of time Pant spent recovering from his injuries before returning to professional cricket.
  • 40.5: Pant's average in the IPL season after returning to cricket.
  • 2024: The year Pant returned to professional cricket in the IPL.

Sources:

  • [Tim Wigmore, "Rishabh Pant was extremely lucky to be alive - extremely lucky.", The Times, 2025]
  • [Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, interview, 2025]