Rishabh Pant, who is expected to play in IPL 2024, recalled his first thought after his car crash on December 30, 2022 as feeling like his “time in this world was over.” He spoke about his accident, recovery, and self-belief in a revealing conversation with Star Sports titled Believe: To Death & Back, set to air on February 1 at 7 pm IST. The interview was conducted on August 24, 2023, eight months after the accident. Pant was airlifted to Mumbai after the crash and underwent surgeries to reconstruct three ligaments in his right knee before rehabbing at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He affirmed his commitment to recovery, aiming to shorten the predicted 16-18 month recovery period by six months. Pant credited Rajat Kumar and Nishu Kumar with saving his life after pulling him from his SUV before it caught fire. Despite excruciating pain and a dislocated knee, he recognized his luck in avoiding nerve damage and potential amputation. Pant also joked about his perception of his SUV turning into a sedan after the crash. The full interview will be available on Star Sports at 7 pm IST on February 1.
