India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who is recovering after surviving a horrific car accident on December 30, posted a positive update on his Instagram account.
Pant is seen in the photo shared via the story feature sitting outside on the terrace of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai, taking in some fresh air, which is one of life's most basic ways to improve well-being. "Never knew sitting outside and breathing fresh air felt so blessed," he wrote.
Pant acknowledged the support and good wishes for his speedy recovery in a statement on his social media accounts on January 16, adding that he's ready for the challenges ahead in this journey.
"I am humbled and grateful for everyone's encouragement and well wishes. I am pleased to inform you that my surgery was a success. The road to recovery has begun, and I am prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you for your incredible support, @BCCI, @JayShah, and government officials."
"I'd also like to thank all of my fans, teammates, doctors, and physios from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and encouragement. I hope to see you all on the field soon "He tweeted about it.
He also expressed gratitude to Rajat Kumar and Nishu Kumar for saving his life. "I may not have been able to thank everyone individually, but I must recognise these two heroes who assisted me during my accident and ensured I arrived safely at the hospital. Thank you, Rajat and Nishu Kumar. I'll be eternally grateful and indebted to you."
Pant, 25, miraculously survived when his car collided with a road divider and caught fire on the Delhi-Dehradun highway on December 30, around 5:30 a.m. The horrific car accident occurred between Manglaur and Narsan in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district.
Pant was taken to Saksham Hospital Multispecialty and Trauma Centre before being transferred to Max Hospital in Dehradun. He was driving alone in his Mercedes car from New Delhi to his hometown of Roorkee.
According to the first medical update provided by the BCCI hours after the accident on December 30, Pant suffered two cuts on his forehead, as well as injuries to his right wrist, ankle, and toe, as well as abrasions on his back.
Later that evening, a medical bulletin stated that Pant's MRI of the brain and spine was normal. Pant also had plastic surgery to treat his facial injuries, lacerated wounds, and abrasions, according to the report.
Pant was flown from Dehradun to Mumbai via air ambulance on January 4 for surgery and further treatment, where he is now under the direct supervision of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, the head of the Centre for Sports Medicine and Director of Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
Pant, who made his international debut in February 2017, was a member of the India Test squad that defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in Dhaka in December 2022. He hit a match-winning 93 in the first innings of the second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in that match, which ended on December 25.