"I was nervous about facing people in a wheelchair": Rishabh Pant opens up on his struggles post-accident

Rishabh Pant (Pic: File Pic)

Rishabh Pant who secured his place in India's T20 World Cup 2024 revealed that his injuries after the horrific accident in 2022 were such that he could not even brush his teeth for two months.

Speaking on his accident back in 2022 on "Dhawan Karenge" show, Rishabh Pant opened up about his experiences of how the injuries were critical for his cricketing career ahead. The wicketkeeper-batsman made a return to action during the recently concluded IPL 2024.

While opening up on his post-injury experience, Rishabh shares, "Self-belief and self-confidence are very important while recovering from an injury because there are people saying all sorts of things around you, and you, as an individual, have to think about what's good for you. The accident was a life-changing experience for me. When I got up after it, I was not even sure if I would be alive, but God was very kind to save me. I could not even brush my teeth for two months, and for six to seven months, I suffered with unbearable pain. I could not go to the airport because I was nervous about facing people in a wheelchair."

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He further added, "Now that I am making a comeback in cricket, more than feeling pressure, I am excited. I feel this is kind of a second life, so I am excited but also nervous."

Speaking about his cricket journey, Pant shared an incident of his mom getting angry with him. Rishabh's father gifted him a cricket bat worth Rs. 14,000 when he was in fifth grade, that was the moment when his mom got "super angry" with his father.

"It was my father's dream to become a cricketer, and I am glad I could fulfil it. I decided I wanted to be a cricketer when I was in the 5th grade. My dad gifted me a bat worth Rs 14,000, and my mom got super angry," he said.

In the IPL 2024, Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals finished in the sixth spot with seven victories and 14 points. Featuring 13 matches, Pant accumulated 446 runs with the willow with a strike rate of over 155. He also had three half-centuries to his name and emerged as the team's top run-getter.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, Rishabh Pant will make a return to international cricket. The marquee event is set to begin in June and will be jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

(With ANI Inputs)