Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has been seriously injured in a horrific car crash

Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has cheated death after a horror car accident early Friday morning that saw his vehicle roll over several times and burst into flames.

Police said the wicketkeeper batsman, who was alone in the car when it crashed in northern Uttarakhand state, lost control of the vehicle as he “fell asleep”.

The car struck the median, rolled over twice and burst into flames, police claimed, while photos taken after the crash showed the vehicle’s twisted and charred remains.

Shocking video footage from the scene showed the bloodied cricketer being helped by locals as the car burst into flames in the middle of the road.

Pant, 25, is one of the star players for Indian Premier League side Delhi Capitals and was part of the Indian Test squad that sealed a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh earlier this month.

Pant’s car hit the curb and burst into flames

Pant is pictured covered in blood and clearly shaken after the crash

The remains of the crashed vehicle lie on the street after the flames have been put out

Rishabh Pant of India adjusts his sunglasses during day four of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and India in Chattogram, Bangladesh, Saturday December 17, 2022

Pant had multiple injuries following the accident and was first taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to a more modern facility.

The exact extent of his injuries is still unknown, but media reports say he suffered head, limb and back injuries as well as multiple burns in the accident.

Cricket website ESPNCricinfo reported that the 25-year-old suffered lacerations to his forehead above his left eye and also torn ligaments in his knee.

“Rishabh is stable and being scanned,” tweeted Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with the necessary support.”

A Delhi Capitals statement released on social media says the crash happened between Manglaur and Narsan in Haridwar district.

Police officers investigate the scene of a car crash near Roorkee in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Friday December 30, 2022. Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant, 25, was driving the car, which overturned and caught fire after crashing into a road divider

The charred remains of Pant’s car are pictured

“He has now been transferred to a hospital in Dehradun after receiving initial treatment at a hospital in Roorkee,” the team said on Twitter.

Hospital authorities were not immediately available to update Pant’s condition.

Uttarakhand Police Director-General Ashok Kumar said: “Pant had told local police that he had lost control of his car after falling asleep for a few seconds. The police are investigating the case.”

Kumar added that Pant was rescued by villagers who witnessed the accident and dragged him from the vehicle.

Pant was part of the Indian Test team that sealed a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh this month.

But the crash means he is unlikely to be named in India’s Twenty20 and ODI squads for next month’s games against Sri Lanka.

India’s Rishabh Pant reacts as he walks off the field after losing his wicket during day two of the second cricket test match between Bangladesh and India in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday December 23, 202

India’s Rishabh Pant, left, listens to head coach Rahul Dravid during a training session ahead of their second cricket test match against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday December 21, 2022

Pant has scored 2,271 runs in 33 Tests. He has also represented his country in 30 one-day internationals and 66 Twenty20 games.

National Cricket Academy chairman and former Test batsman VVS Laxman wished Pant a speedy recovery.

“I pray for Rishabh Pant. Luckily he’s out of danger,” Laxman tweeted.

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting also expressed his concerns.

“I hope you are on the mend and back on your feet soon,” the former Australia captain tweeted.