Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who faced a life-threatening accident nearly a year ago, is now gearing up for the IPL 2024 auction with the Delhi Capitals franchise. The explosive cricketer survived a car crash on the Delhi-Roorkee highway, escaping from a burning car with the timely assistance of a passerby. As Pant continues his journey toward on-field recovery, he acknowledges the gravity of his survival.
In a video shared by the IPL on social media, Pant expressed his gratitude for being alive after the harrowing accident, stating, “The kind of accident I had, I am lucky to be alive. The first part of recovery was so challenging with lots of pain, but now recovery is going well.”
Reflecting on the challenging physical recovery process, Pant mentioned, “More from a physical point of view because in the starting there was a lot of pain to be endured. But just looking forward to the journey till now. I think it’s been going really well from a recovery point of view.”
Despite the hardships, Pant found motivation in supporting his team, the Delhi Capitals, during the tough times. He emphasized, “I felt like I couldn’t face people and all, and I felt like I had to do something which gives me confidence and I wanted to support my team at the same time because I’ve been playing for them. I love my team all the way, so I wanted to show my support even in the worst times.”
Rishabh Pant at table for Delhi Capitals in Dubai
Pant is set to make history by being the first active player to sit at the auction table with the Delhi Capitals bosses. Expressing his excitement about the unique opportunity, Pant shared, “You know as a kid, I used to think like one day I might be able to sit on the table somehow to help a team or something like that. I never thought that I will make it happen, but somehow things are in place, and I am able to do it. And lucky to be able to do it.”
As Pant prepares to contribute to the bidding process, he looks forward to a positive experience and hopes for success in acquiring the best players for the Delhi Capitals. Recalling his first auction, where he was roped in by Delhi for INR 1.90 crore, Pant acknowledged the impact of the moment on his career and expressed gratitude for being part of the Delhi Capitals family.
Acknowledging his nervousness, Pant sees it as an opportunity for personal growth, stating, “Nervousness is one thing which I have to work on. Whenever you do something new or exciting, the nervousness is always there, but like I want to grow as an individual and learn whatever I can from it.”
As Pant braces for the auction table, cricket fans eagerly await his on-field return, marking a remarkable journey of resilience and determination.