Cricket

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Rishabh Pant's recovery from a horrific car accident as a "miracle." Shastri visited Pant in the hospital shortly after the incident and was initially uncertain about his cricketing future."Honestly, if you had seen him, you would not have given him a hope in hell to play cricket again," Shastri said. "He was in terrible shape. I went to see him in hospital a month after he was injured. He was battered and bruised, scarred all over."Pant underwent a major operation and had stitches all over his body. Shastri said that from that point, for him to recover and play cricket again was a miracle."To then go on and play in a World Cup-winning team and be a part of the Test team is a truly remarkable achievement," Shastri added.Pant has been in incredible form since his return to the game, averaging 62 on his two tours of Australia. Shastri said that Pant returns to Australia for this tour in form and as a man Australia fears, an unthinkable prospect when he was bailed up in hospital unable to walk."When you speak to him now, the respect he has for the game is even more," Shastri said. "He was nowhere. Suddenly he is back and he values that. But I have seen him work really, really hard over the past few months to get in to the shape he is to play Test cricket."Pant's accident occurred in December 2022 while he was returning to his hometown from New Delhi. He had a narrow escape thanks to some good Samaritans and his own presence of mind, which prompted him to break the windshield of his car."First time in my life I had that feeling of letting it go. I felt my time in this world was over," Pant had said. "When my accident happened, I felt something spiritual saved me. I can't even imagine how much worse it could have been. Doctors even spoke to me about amputation."Pant was later airlifted to Mumbai, where he underwent reconstruction in three knee ligaments."I asked the doctor how long it would take for me to recover. He said it would take 16 to 18 months," Pant said. "I told the doctor that whatever timeline he gave me, I would reduce six months from it."Pant's determination and hard work have paid off, and he is now back playing at the highest level. His recovery is a testament to his resilience and the power of the human spirit.

Yash Dhull, the former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has faced a significant challenge off the field this year. During a routine medical checkup at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), a hole in his heart was detected. This congenital condition required Dhull to undergo minor heart surgery.Despite the setback, Dhull has shown remarkable resilience. His recent unbeaten century for Delhi in the second-round Ranji Trophy clash against Tamil Nadu marks a "new innings" in his career. This century is his first in First-Class cricket since his recovery."This was a very important innings for me because this is after a surgery. When you come back to playing on such a platform and start a new innings, this (century) is good motivation and a positive sign," Dhull said. "This condition was there from the start. Normally the surgery happens after birth. Mine has happened very late. That we got to know was very important. Because after the age of 35, this would have harmed. Being back on the field makes me very happy."Dhull's recovery is a testament to his determination and the support he has received from his family, friends, and the medical team. He is now focused on regaining his form and contributing to Delhi's success in the Ranji Trophy.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu pacer Gurjapneet Singh continued his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy. He backed up his six-wicket haul on debut with another commendable shift, contributing two wickets in 23 disciplined overs."We were just executing our plan of being consistent on a length. All the bowlers did that, which is why our economy rates were good and we curtailed Delhi's scoring," he said.The match between Delhi and Tamil Nadu is poised for an exciting finish, with both teams looking to secure a victory.

Indian cricket team opener Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test against New Zealand due to a stiff neck, is making significant progress in his recovery and could be available for the second Test in Pune starting on Thursday.Gill was spotted at the ground on Day 5 of the first Test in Bengaluru, facing throwdowns and having a prolonged net batting session. He faced fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mayank Yadav, both traveling reserves for the Indian team, as well as Akash Deep.Gill's return would be a major boost for India, who lost the first Test by eight wickets. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, scoring a century in the third Test against Australia in March and a half-century in the first ODI against New Zealand in August.If Gill is fit to play, he is likely to replace Abhimanyu Easwaran, who made his Test debut in the first Test but failed to impress. Gill's inclusion would provide India with a more experienced and reliable opening partner for Rohit Sharma.New Zealand's victory in the first Test was their first in India in 36 years. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.India will be looking to level the series in the second Test, which begins on Thursday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Mohammed Shami Bowls in Bengaluru, Boosting Hopes for Team IndiaIn a significant development for the Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami has resumed bowling at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The session, which lasted nearly an hour, took place following India's defeat to New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday.Shami, who has been recovering from ankle surgery, engaged in an extensive bowling session with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Despite having his left knee strapped up as a precautionary measure, Shami showcased his rhythm and accuracy, focusing on maintaining a consistent line and length.The experienced pacer also bowled to Shubman Gill with a slightly shortened run-up, while bowling coach Morne Morkel observed him closely. Shami's performance in the session has raised hopes that he may be fit for the upcoming Test tour of Australia.However, skipper Rohit Sharma had previously expressed concerns about Shami's fitness, citing setbacks in his recovery due to swelling in his knees. Rohit emphasized that it would not be wise to take an "undercooked" version of the pacer for such a high-profile series.Shami last represented India in the ODI World Cup final last year and has been recovering from the ankle surgery since then. He is currently working with physios and doctors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to regain full fitness.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Shami's progress in the coming weeks. If he is able to prove his fitness, he will be a valuable addition to the squad for the Australia tour, which begins in December.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has provided an encouraging update on his recovery from injury, sharing photos on social media of himself lifting weights in the gym. Shami has not played since the World Cup final loss to Australia last November, but he is eyeing a return in the highly-anticipated Australia series later this year.Shami's omission from India's 15-member squad for the New Zealand Test series is believed to be part of a longer recovery plan. He underwent surgery following an injury in the World Cup and is gradually working his way back to full fitness.In Shami's absence, the pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. The three Tests will take place across Bengaluru (October 16-20), Pune (October 24-28), and Mumbai (November 1-5).The selectors have also included young talents like Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna in the reserves to provide additional pace options. India are currently leading the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and will aim to consolidate their top spot. The New Zealand series is crucial preparation for India as they gear up for a challenging five-Test tour against Australia.With India aiming to reach their third consecutive WTC final, every series seems vital — and so is Shami's eventual return to full fitness. The 32-year-old is one of India's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, and his return will be a major boost to the team's chances of success.

Rishabh Pant, the "Gabba" conqueror, is poised to make a triumphant return to Test cricket nearly two years after a life-altering car crash in December 2022. The accident left him with severe injuries, but the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman has made a remarkable recovery and is ready to don the Test whites once again.Pant's return to competitive cricket came earlier this year in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he led the Delhi Capitals (DC). Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and an extended rehabilitation period, Pant showed no signs of rust, leading DC to a successful campaign."It's a remarkable comeback, honestly," said DC's former head coach Ricky Ponting. "The mental and physical challenges he faced were unimaginable, but he overcame them with determination and resilience."Pant's successful IPL return paved the way for his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, where he played a key role in the team's victory. His return to Test cricket is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the belief that he can still be a force to be reckoned with.The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh will be an emotional moment for Pant, as he steps onto the field at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 19. It will be a reminder of his journey back from adversity and the indomitable spirit that has defined his career.Pant's return to the Test team also brings back memories of his epic 89 not out at The Gabba in Brisbane in January 2021. His innings helped India chase down a daunting 328-run target and win the series against Australia, breaking their long-standing fortress at the stadium.As India prepares to travel to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in December, Pant's presence in the Test team will be crucial. His experience and match-winning ability will be invaluable as India looks to retain the trophy and continue their dominance in Test cricket.

Yash Dhull, the former captain of India's U-19 team, is making a cautious return to the field after undergoing heart surgery earlier this year. The 21-year-old cricketer had a congenital heart condition that required surgical intervention, which was promptly addressed after being discovered during a routine check-up at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.During the NCA check-up, the medical team detected a congenital condition - a hole in Dhull's heart. The NCA's medical team advised immediate surgery, which Dhull underwent in Delhi. According to a News18 report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ensured he received the best possible care and monitored his recovery closely."During the NCA check-up, the team, after consulting with a set of doctors, advised him to undergo surgery for the hole in his heart," said Pradeep Kochar, Dhull's childhood coach. "He was attending a camp with the rest of the emerging players a couple of months back in Bengaluru. The surgery went well, and Yash has been on a steady path to recovery."Dhull's father, Vijay, explained that the condition was congenital and the surgery was necessary for his son's long-term health and cricket career. "It wasn’t anything serious. The hole in the heart was a condition from birth, and the NCA team advised a minor surgical procedure. He underwent that in Delhi, and the BCCI continued to keep a check on him during the period," said Vijay.Since receiving a fitness certificate from the NCA, Dhull has been gradually rejoining competitive cricket. He has been playing in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), but his performances have been subdued, reflecting his ongoing recovery process."Certain things have happened in the past, and I have returned after a recovery. It’s taking time, but I am positive and will give 100 percent for my game," Dhull said after a recent DPL match.Despite the slow start, Dhull's determination has impressed both his coaches and teammates. "The NCA has given him the certificate of fitness, so there shouldn’t be an issue in any of the formats going forward. Even going forward, there shouldn’t be any problem for him to play the Ranji Trophy and the longer formats," Kochar asserted, expressing confidence in Dhull's ability to bounce back fully.Dhull's journey back to the cricket field after heart surgery has highlighted his courage and dedication. As he continues to work on his fitness and form, the cricketing fraternity remains hopeful that he will soon return to his best, fulfilling the immense potential he has shown at a young age.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is nearing a return to action after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained shortly after the 2023 ODI World Cup, initially appeared minor, but subsequent swelling necessitated surgery.Shami's recovery has progressed steadily at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He resumed bowling last month and has gradually increased his workload. The selectors are closely monitoring his progress and will soon decide if he should participate in the Duleep Trophy matches starting September 5 to prove his fitness.The first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai remains the target for Shami's comeback. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that "September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal."Even if Shami misses some or all of India's home Tests, he has ample time to regain his rhythm before the tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy begins in October, followed by two first-class games for India A in Australia from October 31.Shami's return will be a significant boost for India, who have relied heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav in his absence. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be crucial in the upcoming Test series and the World Test Championship.

Andrew Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, has opened up about the life-altering car crash he experienced in December 2022. In an upcoming episode of the BBC show "Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams," Flintoff reveals the profound impact the accident has had on his physical and mental well-being."I genuinely should not be here, with what happened," Flintoff says in footage filmed from his hospital bed. "It's going to be a long road back and I'm only just starting."Flintoff underwent multiple facial surgeries after the crash, which occurred while he was filming for the British TV show "Top Gear." He has kept a low public profile since then, but in the upcoming episode, he speaks candidly about the challenges he has faced."I thought I could just shake it off," Flintoff says. "But it's been a lot harder than I thought. I've got nightmares, I have flashbacks. It's been so hard to cope with."Despite the difficulties, Flintoff is determined to move forward. "I've got another chance, I've got to go at it," he says. "I'm seeing that as how it is: a second go."Flintoff's recovery has been gradual, but he has returned to cricket in various coaching roles. He has worked with England's white-ball teams and is also head coach of Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred.In the upcoming episode of "Field of Dreams," Flintoff also discusses his coaching ambitions. "I've always had an ambition to coach," he says. "I'd love to do more coaching moving forwards."Flintoff's journey back from the crash is a testament to his resilience and determination. His story highlights the importance of seeking support and finding ways to cope with trauma.