Hardik Pandya, Team India’s stand-in captain, made an open statement regarding Rishabh Pant’s effect on the team after the latter was wounded in a freak vehicle accident. Pant suffered several injuries after his automobile collided with a barrier on the Delhi-Dehradun highway on December 30 and is presently being treated at Dehradun’s Max Hospital.
Pandya spoke about his teammate’s accident on the eve of the India-Sri Lanka T20I series. Pant’s absence will be felt by every member of the squad, according to the captain.
“See, what occurred was incredibly sad; no one had any control over it. As a group, we wish him the best of luck. Our thoughts and prayers are constantly with him for a swift recovery. He was obviously incredibly significant. But now everyone understands where the situation is, and there are many individuals who may acquire possibilities,” Pandya was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“Rishabh’s presence would have made a significant impact because of the kind of player he is. But now we have to wait and see what the future has for us,” he concluded.
India will face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, followed by three 50-over matches. Pant was left out of both the ODI and T20I teams against the Islanders owing to his poor performance in white-ball cricket in 2022.
In terms of head-to-head records, the Asia Cup 2022 champions have won eight T20I matches, while the Men in Blue have won 17. Similarly, Team India has been dominating in the 50-over format, gaining a big lead with 93 victories in 162 games, while the Lankan Lions have triumphed on 57 times, with 11 matches ending in a draw.
