Rishabh Pant Shares Insights On His Car Crash And Emotional Meeting With Mother

Rishabh Pant has disclosed the actual cause behind his severe car accident on December 30, 2022. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was sidelined for nearly 14 months following the near-fatal incident near Roorkee in Uttarakhand.

Pant's vehicle collided with a road divider before catching fire. He managed to escape with the assistance of locals who transported him to a nearby hospital.

Initial media reports suggested that Pant had fallen asleep while driving his Mercedes. However, in a recent interview with India TV's Rajat Sharma, the 26-year-old clarified that he did not fall asleep.

Currently in the USA with the Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2024, Pant explained that he felt something come in front of his car. While attempting to avoid it, he crashed into the divider around 5:30 AM. He mentioned that he had been travelling alone to his home during breaks at the same time for the past eight years.

"I travel home in Roorkee during the same time for the last 7-8 years. It was not my first time. I had been doing the same thing for the last 8 years. People don't know but my mother knows that I arrive home early in the morning. I did not fall asleep. I felt as if something came in front of me and the car got disbalanced while trying to save it. I did not imagine I would survive," Rishabh Pant said on India TV show 'Aap Ki Adalat'.

Pant also recounted his initial meeting with his mother following the accident. Despite feeling numb, he was concerned about people taking pictures and videos instead of offering help. The Delhi batter added that he felt relieved once he saw his mother.

"I got motivation and will to live after I saw my mother. People were taking out their camera, clicking pictures and taking videos even in that condition rather than helping. Despite being in that situation I was worried that someone would click pictures and make videos. My mother came and said, 'I am here'. I told her that you take care of things now, and I will rest now. I relaxed for the first time after that. She took care of everything thereafter," Rishabh Pant said.

Pant also mentioned how he requested 'Chilli Paneer' from his mother while in the hospital, noting it was one of the first things he asked for after the accident.