Lucky to be alive, recovery going well: Rishabh Pant

Following a horrific car accident in December last year, Rishabh Pant has been out of action. he may not have returned to the cricket field, but he will make an appearance alongside the think-tank of Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction in Dubai.

However, while confirming that his recovery was going well, he also added that he felt he was lucky to be alive.

"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," Pant said in a video posted by the IPL on social media.

"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.

"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. So that was the idea and I think it's part of the recovery process." 

His participation in the upcoming edition of the IPL will depend on how well he recovers from the accident. There were reports circulating that he could be available for the season. However, his focus for now remains on helping his side out at the auction table.

"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," Pant said.

"Hopefully, it will be an amazing experience because this is something new. Lots of love for the fans and I hope we get whatever we want from the auction, I guess."

Recalling the bidding for him during the auction, which fetched him INR 1.9 crore, he said, "Every player will remember their first price or first auction day. I think I went for 1.9 crore. And I loved it because I just played U-19 India and that time it was crazy money for me. Really lucky to be part of Delhi Capitals.

"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."

The IPL 2024 could be held between the end of March running till the end of May.