The wicketkeeper-batsman has been out of action following a horrific car accident in December 2022
After a horrific car accident in December last year, Rishabh Pant was out of work. He may not be back on the cricket field, but he will feature alongside Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Dubai.
However, while he stressed that his recovery is going well, he also added that he feels lucky to be alive.
“This kind of accident I had, I’m lucky to be alive. The first part of the recovery was very difficult with a lot of pain but now the recovery is going well,” Pant said in a video posted by the Indian Premier League on social media.
“More physically because at the beginning there was a lot of pain to take. But just looking forward to the journey so far. I think things are going really well from a recovery point of view.”
“I felt like I couldn’t face people and everything, and I felt like I had to do something that would give me confidence and I wanted to support my team at the same time because I was playing for them. I love my team.” All the way, so I wanted to show my support even in the worst times. So that was the idea and I think it’s part of the healing process.”
His participation in the next edition of the IPL will depend on how well he recovers from the accident. There have been reports circulating that he might be available for this season. However, for now, his focus remains on helping his team at the auction table.
“You know, when I was a kid, I used to think that one day I might be able to sit at the table somehow and help a team or something like that. I never thought I would achieve that, but somehow things just fell into place,” Pant said. “I am capable of doing this. “I’m lucky to be able to do that.”
“I hope it’s an amazing experience because this is something new. I think a lot of love for the fans and I hope we get everything we want from the auction.”
Recalling his bidding during the auction, which fetched him INR 1.9 crore, he said: “Every player will remember his first bid or the first auction day. I think I went for INR 1.9 crore. And I liked it because I had just played U-19. India and at that time it was The money is crazy for me and I’m really lucky to be part of Delhi Capitals.
“Tension is one of the things I have to work on. When you’re doing something new or exciting, tension is always there, but I also want to grow as an individual and learn everything I can from it.”
IPL 2024 can be held between the end of March to the end of May.