Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant ‘dozed off’ before fireball car crash, local police say | World news

Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant is facing long-term injury after a horror car crash that forced him to fight his way out of the vehicle when it caught fire.

Police in the northern state of Uttarakhand said the hitman told police he had “fallen asleep” behind the wheel of a car, believed to be a Mercedes, early Friday morning.

The car was understood to have flipped twice when it hit the central depot.

Despite suffering multiple injuries, Pant managed to break a window and escape when he found it on fire, police added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement that the 25-year-old suffered cuts to his forehead, tore a ligament in his right knee and injured his right wrist, ankle and toe.

He also had several chafing injuries on his back, it is said.

“Rishabh’s condition remains stable and he has now been shifted to Max Hospital in Dehradun, where he will undergo MRI scans to ascertain the extent of his injuries and determine his further treatment,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.

“The government will ensure that Rishabh gets the best possible medical care and all the support he needs to get through this traumatic phase,” Shah added.

Local media reported that the player’s trip to Roorkee was supposed to be a surprise for his mother before the New Year.

Uttarakhand police director general Ashok Kumar told Reuters news agency: “Pant had told local police that he lost control of his car after dozing off for a few seconds. The police are investigating the incident.”

Pant was part of India’s Test squad that sealed a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh this month.

Ricky Ponting, Pant’s head coach of the Indian Premier League’s Delhi Capitals, tweeted: “Hope you are on the mend and back on your feet soon.”