Rishabh Pant shared how he overcame emotional and physical hurdles following his car accident in December 2022.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has geared up for his return to competitive cricket. The BCCI’s official announcement, which declared Pant fit to play in the upcoming IPL season, marked a successful conclusion to his 14-month recovery journey since December 2022.
Pant suffered multiple injuries in the accident. He underwent surgery for a ligament tear in his right knee and went on a long and challenging rehabilitation process throughout most of last year.
Despite the emotional toll of missing crucial playing time, Pant showed resilience. In an interview with the Times of India, Pant said, “I was sad because I was going through a very good time. But I had to ensure I didn’t pity myself. That’s how I was keeping myself sane. I don’t want to think that I am taking a fresh guard or I am making my debut all over again or I just had a break. I just want to feel how it is to be on the ground again. I need that feeling from within that I am just continuing with my career.”
Pant’s dedication to recovery extended beyond physical therapy. He acknowledged consciously limiting his exposure to cricket matches during his downtime to avoid a mental breakdown. “I won’t say I watched every match. Because when you miss something so much, you need to give yourself space from that. I have been playing cricket all my life. I haven’t thought about anything else. Watching them play was temptation but I didn’t want that to play with my mind. I used to watch the matches once in a while when I used to be done with my routine,” added Pant.
The accident forced Pant to miss the previous IPL season, a significant blow for both the player and his team, the Delhi Capitals (DC). However, Pant underplayed expectations for the IPL as he stated, “We will see when we get to March 23 (Delhi Capitals’ first match)… I don’t want to stress too much…but I do think about the possibilities — both positive and negative. I try to filter that and keep working with a positive mindset.”
Nevertheless, Delhi Capitals expect Rishabh Pant to return on the field as they begin their IPL 2024 campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 23rd.
Last Updated on March 13, 2024
