Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant to be airlifted for surgery after car crash

Indian wicketkeeper Pant was involved in a scary car accident on Friday

Indian wicketkeeper Pant was involved in a scary car accident on Friday (AP)

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is set to be airlifted to a Mumbai hospital for surgery following his car accident last Friday.

Police indicated Pant lost control of his Mercedes when he “dozed off”, crashing into the central reservation with the vehicle then overturning and catching fire in Uttarakhand, northern India.

He was treated for two forehead cuts and abrasions on his back while the 25-year-old also suffered a ligament tear in his right knee and injuries to his right wrist, ankle and toe.

As part of his rehabilitation, Pant will be transported from Dehradun to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute to go under the knife and for further treatment.

Jay Shah, honorary secretary of India’s cricket board, said: “The Board of Control for Cricket in India have made all the necessary arrangements to shift India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant to Mumbai.

“Rishabh, who is currently receiving treatment for his injuries at Max Hospital, Dehradun following a car accident on 30th December, will be brought to Mumbai in an air ambulance.

“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 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.”

Pant, captain of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, is a regular in all three formats for his country, having featured in 33 Tests, 30 ODIs and 66 T20s.

He was part of the India side that wrapped up a 2-0 Test series win in Bangladesh on Christmas Day but was omitted from both ODI and T20 squads ahead of the ongoing visit of Sri Lanka.