India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has opened up for the first time after surviving horrific car accident that ruled him out of cricketing action for a year. Pant revealed that his perspective about life has changed since the accident and he is finding joy in being able to do little things in life.
“It is hard for me to say if everything around me has become more positive or even negative. However, I've gained a fresh perspective on how I view my life now,” Pant said in an interview with IANS.
“Something I value today is enjoying my life to the fullest and this includes the smallest of things that we ignore in our daily routine. Everyone today is hustling and working extremely hard to achieve something special, but we've forgotten to enjoy the little things which give us joy every single day.
“Especially after my accident, I've found happiness in even being able to brush my teeth every day as well as something like sitting under the sun. While trying to achieve our goals, it seems like we've taken the regular things in life for granted. My biggest realisation and message would be that feeling blessed every day is also a blessing, and that's the mindset I've adopted since my setback and being able to enjoy every moment which comes my way is a takeaway I have for myself,” he added.
After several surgeries, Pant has started his rehabilitation. His immediate goal is to get back on his feet. As much as he is missing being on the cricket field, he is taking things one at a time till he is able to move around without the help of crutches.
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“I try to follow my daily routine as per schedule. I wake up in the morning and then I undergo my first physiotherapy session of the day with my physiotherapist. Post that, I take some rest and time to refresh myself for the second session. I start my second session soon after, and train according to how much pain I can endure, especially after a tough first session,” the 25-year-old said.
The southpaw’s estimated time to don the wicketkeeping gloves again is not definite. On February 27, Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly said that it may take upto two years for him to play for India again. While Srikar Bharat is keeping the wickets in ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Delhi Capitals (DC) are yet to announce his replacement for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
