Following a terrifying car accident on December 30, 2022, Rishabh Pant’s journey to recovery culminated in a joyous announcement from BCCI on Monday. The 26-year-old, known for his skills as a wicketkeeper-batter, is ready to make his comeback for the Delhi Capitals in this year’s IPL after a 14-month hiatus caused by the serious accident that jeopardized his cricketing career.
Amid his return to the IPL 2024, Pant is eyeing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad for the tournaments in the West Indies and the United States in June, depending on his performance in the IPL. Reflecting on his challenging recovery, Pant shared the grim reality he faced after the accident, revealing that doctors had considered amputating his leg.
Recalling the accident, Rishabh Pant expressed gratitude, acknowledging that things could have been much worse. “With the kind of accident I had, I only got my knee injured, but I can’t even imagine how much worse it could have been,” he told the Times of India.
“Doctors even spoke to me about amputation,” he added.
The crash, which left Pant with multiple injuries after his Mercedes SUV collided with a barrier, flipped over and caught fire, required him to undergo extensive treatment and surgery in Mumbai after being airlifted from the scene. Pant underwent rigorous rehabilitation under the guidance of the National Cricket Academy to overcome his injuries, including a damaged knee ligament, wrist, ankle injuries, and back abrasions.
When is Rishabh Pant returning to play?
After missing IPL 2023, the Delhi Capitals captain returns this time. Pant will captain his team and play a prominent role in the IPL 2024. Pant is scheduled to return to the IPL 2024 on March 23, when Delhi play their first match in Mohali against Punjab Kings.
Though Pant missed out on participating in last year’s ODI World Cup, he remained determined to return to the field. Despite hoping to play in India’s Test series against England, the cricket board prioritized his health over a swift return to the demanding format.
