Hardik admitted that Rishabh Pant’s absence is a big setback for the team.
Pant's car collided with a divider and caught fire, forcing him to break the car window and get out of the vehicle. Luckily for the southpaw, a Haryana Roadways bus driver and conductor arrived at the spot of the accident immediately and helped him reach a hospital.
Rishabh is currently being treated at a hospital in Dehradun for multiple injuries to his head, back, and leg. According to reports, the injuries will keep him out of action for a minimum period of six months.
On Monday (January 2), India’s new T20I skipper Hardik Pandya admitted that Rishabh Pant’s absence is a big setback for the team but all he can think of right now is "speedy recovery" of his teammate.
"What happened is very unfortunate. No one had any control about it and as a team, we wish him (Pant) all the best. Our love and prayers are always with him and we wish he has a speedy recovery," Hardik said on the eve of the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
"Obviously, he was very important but now everyone knows where the situation stands. If Rishabh would also have been there, it would have made a big difference, yes, because of the kind of player he is. But now that he is not there, it is something, we can't control," he added.
Hardik Pandya wants all the players who will be getting opportunities in the absence of Pant to use them to the fullest.
"There are a lot of people who can get opportunities. Let's see what future has kept for us and move forward with it," he stated.
Rishabh Pant is a key player for India, especially in the longest format, in the last two years. His absence from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home in February-March might impact India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
Meanwhile, the Indian fans will be hoping and praying for Pant’s quick recovery and comeback to the field.
(With PTI inputs)