Rishabh Pant: Still on recovery, will need a few months to be 100% fit

Dubai, Dec 19 (PTI) The supremely gifted Rishabh Pant hopes to be fully match-fit in next few months and keep his date with the much-anticipated return to competitive cricket during next year's Indian Premier League.

Pant, who miraculously escaped after a horrifying car accident last year, missed the entire 2023 after undergoing surgery has been floored by the love and appreciation shown by fans that helped him recover quicker than anyone expected.

"I think (I am feeling) much better (than) what I was doing a few months ago. So like, (I am) still on recovery towards 100 per cent (fitness). But hopefully in a few months time, I'll be able to do it," an optimistic Pant said in a video posted by the Delhi Capitals on its instagram page.

The Delhi Capitals skipper, who will be present at the mini auction alongside Team Director Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting here, had a close shave after his car hit a divider on National Highway towards Rourkee and caught fire in a terrifying accident in December last year.

The 26-year-old suffered multiple injuries and is currently under going rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. However, he is expected to be back in action during the IPL which starts on March 22.

What touched Pant was the love and concern shown by the fans, which he felt he realised for the first time.

"I think it's been really amazing because whenever we keep on playing cricket, we feel no one loves us because there is always pressure in so many things. But actually yes, it's a hard time. But I got to know at least people love us. They respect us and the kind of appreciation and the kind of concern I would say people have shown over a period of time because of my injury," Pant said.

"I think it was heartfelt, like crazy for me because it means a lot as an individual." Pant said the love and affection shown by people has helped him make a miraculous recovery.

"When you are going through a very rough time or something like that happens to you. It's not only physical, it's like mentally also and if your supporters and the people support you or show you love, it means a lot and it's it really helps in recovering." In the absence of Pant, Australia opener David Warner led DC last season with the team finishing second from last.

"Thank you for always being supportive all the time. Yes, I know sometimes we have given you a hard time as fans.

"But see, we try to do our best all the time and, hopefully, next year in time to come, we will show the kind of respect or love you have shown over a period of time, hopefully we can reciprocate it over a period of time, and just keep supporting us," Pant said. PTI