Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the renowned Mumbai-based orthopedic surgeon who treated Rishabh Pant following his serious car accident in December 2022, has remarked that while Pant’s somersault celebrations may be well-executed, they are ultimately unnecessary. The cricketer’s luxury car had collided with a divider as he was driving to his hometown, Roorkee.
Pant sustained several injuries, including damage to his right knee, which required ligament reconstruction surgery. After initial treatment in Dehradun, he was airlifted to Mumbai, where Dr. Pardiwala performed his surgeries at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West.
Following a lengthy absence from cricket that lasted over a year, Pant underwent intensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. He eventually returned to action with Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2024 season.
Rishabh Pant Scripts History With Two Centuries At Headingley, Celebrates Milestone With Somersault
More recently, Rishabh Pant made headlines by scoring two centuries against England in the Headingley Test, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to achieve the feat. Pant celebrated the first century with a somersault, repeating a move he had also performed earlier for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.
“Rishabh trained as a gymnast – and so although he looks large, he is quite agile, and he does have a lot of flexibility,” Pardiwala told The Telegraph. “And that’s why he’s been doing those somersaults of late. It’s a well-practised and perfected move – unnecessary though!,” he added.
“He recognises the fact that he was extremely lucky to be alive. He’s so motivated as a cricketer. If you knew the Rishabh before this happened, he’s a much more mature human being. He’s very philosophical now. He appreciates life and everything that goes around it. That typically happens to anyone who’s faced death in the face. Someone who’s had a near-death experience often gets life into perspective.”
“Rishabh Pant was extremely lucky to be alive – extremely lucky. To be in an accident like this, where the car actually overturns and blows up, the risk of death is extremely high,” Pardiwala said.
At 27, Rishabh Pant initially appeared out of form during IPL 2024, which was expected given his long layoff. However, his game noticeably improved in the following weeks. His two centuries have once again placed him in discussions as one of India’s greatest Test wicketkeepers. The Indian team will be hoping he continues this level of performance and that his contributions lead to more victories for the side.
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