The rollercoaster journey of India’s most fearless cricketer and his unexpected plus-one: injuries

There’s always that one player in every team who you can’t help but root for — not just because they’re talented, but because they make the game feel different. For Team India, that player is Rishabh Pant.

He isn’t your textbook cricketer. He plays with a spark in his eyes, a smirk on his face, and the kind of guts that makes you sit up when he bats. Whether it’s that reverse scoop off James Anderson or the way he sledges behind the stumps with a childlike mischief, Pant is entertainment packaged in cricket whites.

But lately, Pant hasn’t been making headlines for his heroics with the bat or gloves. Instead, it’s been for something far more frustrating — injuries. And not just any injury, but a seemingly long-running series of them. From his near-fatal car accident in 2022 to his recent toe injury during the India vs England Test match, Pant seems to have formed an unwanted partnership with bad luck.

The Crash That Changed Everything

December 2022

Just when Pant was at the peak of his powers — winning games from nowhere, becoming the go-to wicketkeeper in all formats — the unthinkable happened. A terrifying car accident left him with multiple injuries, torn ligaments, and a long road to recovery.

For months, he was off the field. No cricket, no practice, just hospitals, rehab sessions, and endless days focused only on healing. Fans waited with bated breath. Videos of him walking again, then jogging, then shadow-practicing brought hope. Finally, in early 2024, we saw the Pant we missed so much — back in action, hungry and smiling.

But just as everyone was beginning to breathe easy, the story took another turn.

Comeback With Cracks

Pant’s return to the India vs England Test series felt like the comeback of the year. All eyes were on him. And he didn’t disappoint. A gritty fifty, a cheeky smile behind the stumps, those confident appeals it was like nothing had changed.

But then came the first blow — literally.

In the 3rd Test match, Pant suffered a painful hand nail injury, which went unnoticed by many. While it didn’t rule him out immediately, it was the first sign that perhaps, his body was still catching up to the demands of Test cricket.

And just as he began to find his rhythm again — boom. Another twist.

A Toe Twist No One Saw Coming

Fast forward to the recent India vs England Test series.

Pant had just started regaining form. His batting had glimpses of that old madness. The crowd was back on their feet, and cricket felt right again. But then came the news: Pant was in pain. Not from the knee or back as one might expect after a car crash, but from an unexpected toe injury.

Initially dismissed as a minor issue, the injury turned out to be more serious than thought. He missed the following match, and the team had to reshuffle. Again.

It was déjà vu. Another injury. Another delay. Another pause in a career that has already seen too many stop-starts.

Rishabh Pant & Injury: A Tale of Unwanted Loyalty

You know how some duos become inseparable? In Pant’s case, it feels like injury is his clingy partner that just won’t let go.

Cricket experts from Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, and NDTV Sports have pointed out a worrying trend — post-accident injuries tend to stack up. The body, still healing, becomes more fragile. One wrong step, one extra sprint, and it all unravels.

For Pant, who plays with such physical intensity — diving, leaping, sprinting, reverse-sweeping — this makes recovery all the more complicated.

Why Team India Feels the Heat

Injuries are never just personal setbacks. When it's someone like Pant, Team India feels it too.

Pant isn’t just a keeper; he’s a game-changer. His ability to swing matches, his unpredictability with the bat, and his energy behind the stumps are things that can’t be replaced. KL Rahul or KS Bharat can fill in the spot, but they can’t bring what Pant does to the field.

In the middle of an intense Test series against England, his absence was felt deeply. India's middle-order missed the spark, the edge, and frankly, the fearlessness that only Pant provides.

What’s Being Done Differently Now?

The good news? The BCCI’s medical team is being extra cautious this time.

According to reports from India Today and The Hindu, they’ve put Pant on a careful rehab and rest cycle. Toe injury or not, the aim is to let his body fully heal before throwing him back into high-intensity matches.

Specialists are focusing on:

Toe stability exercises.

Reduced match-day load.

Personalized recovery programs.

And most importantly, mental wellness.

Because a comeback isn’t just physical — it’s emotional. And after two years of setbacks, Pant’s courage is as important as his cricket.

So, What Next?

Pant is expected to sit out for a few more weeks. Whether he makes it back in time for the remaining matches of the India vs England Test series or not remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain — fans aren’t losing hope. Because with Pant, there’s always a twist. Always a spark. And always a fightback.

Final Word

Rishabh Pant’s journey isn’t just about cricket. It’s about resilience, pain, recovery, and heart.

Yes, the injuries are frustrating. Yes, the pauses hurt. But they also make his story richer, deeper, and more human. He’s not just India’s wicketkeeper. He’s India’s warrior in whites — limping, grinning, and fighting to be back where he belongs.

And when he does return — like he always does — we’ll be there, watching, hoping, and cheering. Because sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the ones that take a little longer to unfold.