India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s car accident on Friday (December 30) morning has certainly put him out of the game for a considerable period.

While Pant has escaped major injuries, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is concerned about the ligament tear on his right knee.

According to a TOI report, BCCI’s panel of doctors have had a meeting with doctors treating Pant in Dehradun and it has been decided that the treatment on his ligament will only be overseen by the Indian board’s medical team.

“It has been conveyed to Pant’s family members and doctors in Dehradun that his ligament treatment will be overseen by BCCI. Pant will be discharged from Dehradun hospital after staying observation. After that, he will be assessed by BCCI’s doctors in Mumbai and further treatment will be decided. It could happen abroad as well,” a BCCI source told TOI.

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.

“The team management had already decided that he would not have played any of the T20Is or ODIs against the touring Sri Lanka and New Zealand teams over the next month. He was supposed to reach National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru on Jan 6 for strengthening his knee. He was told that he was needed fit for the Australia series and then the subsequent ODI series before the IPL. He was already carrying the niggle. The accident may have aggravated it,” the source added.

BCCI’s medical team will first weigh up the grade of the injury and then take a call on the treatment. Indian fans will be praying for Rishabh Pant’s recovery and return to action as soon as possible.

(With TOI inputs)