India's wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant sustained serious injuries in a road accident on December 30. While he was initially being treated in Uttarakhand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now airlifted him to Mumbai where he will be under the direct supervision of the board's empanelled doctor Dinshaw Pardiwala.
"He will be admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute and will be under the direct supervision of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Head - the Centre for Sports Medicine, and Director - Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the hospital. Rishabh will undergo surgery and subsequent procedures for ligament tears and will continue to be monitored by the BCCI Medical Team throughout his recovery and rehabilitation," the BCCI said in an official release dated January 4, 2023.
"The Board will make every effort to aid and expedite the recovery process of Rishabh and will provide him with all the support he needs during this period," it added.
Pant requires at least six months to get back onto the pitch
Dr Pardiwala has previously worked with cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja among other athletes. It is now being learnt that Pant will undergo a double surgery for his knee and ankle ligament tear. An Indian Express report claims that he would take more than four months to recover and at least six months to get back onto the pitch.
Pant's surgery is expected to be done using the arthroscopic technique. As per this technique, a graft is harvested from the body which is then autografted in the affected part. As per initial reports, Pant had also undergone a plastic surgery and was given pain management therapy.
Notably, Pant met with an accident while driving to his hometown Roorkee from Delhi. He reportedly dozed off while sleeping and consequently lost control of his vehicle. His Mercedes flipped over twice before it caught fire but fortunately the 25-year-old was pulled out of his car by a Haryana Roadways Driver and his helper.