‘Life is so cruel’ – Twitter upset as reports of Rishabh Pant missing the next editions of ODI and 20-20 World Cup surface

Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper-batter, is likely to be out of action for at least 18 months, in a major setback for the country. News18 Cricketnext has reliably learned that the nature of Pant’s injuries sustained in the December 2022 car accident requires extensive recovery time and may keep the stumper off the field for an extended period.

This will almost certainly rule him out of this year’s Indian T20 League, ODI World Cup, the entire Test Championship cycle (possibly including the Final), half of next year’s World Test Championship cycle, Indian T20 League 2024, and the 20-20 World Cup in June of next year.

The 25-year-old is being treated at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and will remain there until the treatment is completed. Pant had previously been admitted to the Max Hospital in Dehradun, from which the Indian Cricket Board airlifted him to Mumbai for further treatment and action.

According to sources close to the situation, Pant will continue to be treated in Mumbai before heading to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for the lengthy rehabilitation. Pant’s knee ligaments have been severely damaged, and the keeper has already undergone two surgeries to repair them.

“We need to understand that he is a keeper so his movements – regular squatting, sideways movements and all – put a lot of load on the knee. We can’t rush with it and it is going to take a lot of time,” a source close to the developments told News18 Cricketnext.

The Indian cricket team faces a difficult road ahead, particularly in the longest format of the game. The left-hander had stamped his authority in the middle order with match-winning efforts and had looked a very assured, and neat, operator behind the stumps even on difficult surfaces.

In Pant’s absence, at least in the longer format, plenty of combinations are likely to be tested, as his batting exploits allowed the captain and management to field five specialist bowlers. His white-ball returns have been mixed, but his impact in Tests has been unparalleled.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Pant’s news

We don't know how he will be after comeback from such a long recovery period
Hopefully, he'll be back as he was unlike yuvraj who became shadow of his prior self after comeback

— Ashutosh😼 (@IAshutoshMittal) January 15, 2023

Nothing more impt then his health. We'll definately miss our Spiderman but!! Hard luck..

— 𝐃𝐢𝐲𝐚🤍 (@Shravya7256_) January 15, 2023

Life is so cruel. One accident has taken away so much from Rishabh, but the fact that he has survived is itself a miracle. Really wish he gets fit asap and come back stronger.

— Aditya (@Adityakrsaha) January 15, 2023

Very unfortunate,he was the first choice after dhoni and he lived up to all the expectations really well one unfortunate event cost so many opportunities,and 1.5 years of his life, very sad but I am sure he'll come back hard🔥🤞

— Pogan laul (@KingDop15813815) January 15, 2023

My Heart Says He Is Going To Play CWC 2023 Let's Hope For The Best <3

— Sankalp (Virat Stan) (@169mcgclassic) January 15, 2023

A single carelessness costed him his whole cricket career…it will be difficult to find his rhythm back 😔

— Sir Crayon (@_sir_crayon_) January 15, 2023

For Rishabh to survive that crash is nothing short of a miracle in itself!

Cricket will be here to welcome him when he comes back, stronger than ever!
And the kind of fighter Rishabh is, without a doubt he's gonna rock the world once again!!!!

— Dr_Heisenberg's Paradox (@dr_heiSANEberg) January 15, 2023

Recovery is more important>>

— harsh♥️🇮🇳 (@HARSH99OP) January 15, 2023

💔💔💔💔😄👍
Get well soon champ
He is gonna miss one of the most important time of his odi career 🥹

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) January 15, 2023

I already said this few days back, it’s not possible for any Cricketer to make a comeback after a massive accident, full observation require, fitness test, domestic game (1 or few) – then the decision. Get well soon @RishabhPant17 🤗

— Sagar Khandelwal (@Khandelw13Sagar) January 15, 2023