IPL Auction 2024: 'Lucky To Be Alive,' Says Rishabh Pant As He Recalls Harrowing Experience After Car Crash

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Rishabh Pant, who was present at the Delhi Capitals table in the capacity of their captain during the IPL Auction 2024, had a heart-to-heart conversation with IPL, saying he's lucky to be alive after his car crash in Uttarakhand late last year.

Rishabh Pant, who had been working with the Delhi Capitals management over the last three days in Dubai, said he was surprised to see the love fans showered at him during the difficult period as he was of the opinion that fans always hate cricketers.

"The kind of accident I had, (I'm) lucky to be alive," Pant recounted in an interview to IPL. "I think it was very challenging, especially the first part I would say more from a physical point of view because in the starting there was a lot of pain to be endured," Rishabh Pant told IPL.

"But just looking at 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."

"It's been really amazing because whenever we are playing, we feel no one loves us because there is always pressure and so many things. Yes, it's a hard time but I came to know people love us, respect us and the kind of appreciation and concern people have shown over a period of time because of my injury, it was heartfelt, crazy for me.

"Because it means a lot as an individual when you're going through a very rough time. It's not only physical (recovery), it's also mentally (taxing) and if your supporters and the people support you and love you, it means a lot, and it really helps in recovery."

While the speculation is of the cricketer returning to action at the IPL 2024 in March but Rishabh Pant added that he is yet to be fully fit.

"You know, as a kid, I used to think one day I might be able to sit on the (auction) table," Pant said. "I never thought that I will make it happen but somehow things are in place and I'm able to do it, and lucky to be able to do it. I think it will be an amazing experience because this is something new."