Rishabh Pant’s Savior In 2022 Takes Poison With Girlfriend

It was a cold December night in 2022 when Rajat Kumar and Nishu were driving along the Delhi-Dehradun highway near Roorkee when they spotted a white wrecked Mercedes flipped upside down with smoke coming from the crushed frame. It was none but Rishabh Pant

They rushed for help and pulled the bleeding and semi-conscious man from the broken vehicle and called the police, staying by his side until help arrived.

Rishabh Pant’s savior fights in the hospital bed

It was later when they realized that they had saved India’s wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant. The Delhi batter thanked them for saving his life, and months later, he gifted Rajat a scooter as a token of appreciation.

Also Read: India’s Number One Wicket-Keeper For Champions Trophy Confirmed By Head Coach

Now the tables have turned. Rajat lies in a hospital bed but not as a hero. He is fighting for his life after he, alongside his girlfriend Manu Kashyap, consumed poison together. Their love had always been forbidden in caste differences, family opposition, and marriages arranged elsewhere. With separations getting near, they saw the only way out.

The tragic incident came to light when a villager from Buchha Basti saw them lying on the ground and raised an alarm. By the time the families reached the spot, the poison had already done half of the damage.

Manu’s family moved her to another facility, where she died before dawn on February 11. Rajat continues to receive treatment but stands at the edge of his life.

A few more hours later, Manu’s mother walked into the Purkazi Police Station and filed a case, accusing Rajat of poisoning her daughter. The village, which once took pride in its bravery, murmurs on sheer betrayal.

“We have received a written complaint from the woman’s family, accusing Rajat of poisoning her.” The police official expressed.

Meanwhile, the doctors who are checking Rajat said that his condition, showing signs of improvement slowly.

“Both consumed a strong pesticide. We began immediate treatment. Manu’s family moved her elsewhere, but Rajat is improving under our care.” Dr. Dinesh Tripathi of Pragya Hospital highlighted.

Rishabh Pant’s comeback since the fatal accident

The accident went through like a shock to the wicketkeeper’s life. He missed the four-match Test series against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy at home due to the injuries. Rishabh Pant also could not take part in the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League and the home ODI World Cup.

But since his return, the southpaw looked a different beast. Rishabh Pant finished the 2024 season of the 20-over league as Delhi Capitals’ leading run-getter with 446 runs in 13 innings at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40, thanks to three half-centuries.

The blue brigade enjoyed the T20 World Cup winning campaign. The Uttarakhand-born was the third-highest run-getter of the two Tests against Bangladesh with 161 runs in four innings at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 82.14.

Even when all the batters failed against New Zealand at home, Rishabh Pant displayed aggression for 261 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 89.38, shouldering on three half-centuries.

Rishabh Pant struggles for an ODI place

Despite being the number one wicket-keeper for India in Tests, the management has avoided him in the 50-over format. KL Rahul kept wickets and batted at six in the three ODIs against England at home.

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has also confirmed Rahul as their number one ODI wicket-keeper and reckoned that Rishabh Pant would need to wait until his opportunity arrives. Unless an injury occurs, the 27-year-old is unlikely to start the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh.