Felt Like My Time Was Over: Pant On Horrific Car Crash

In a candid interview titled “Believe: To Death and Back” with Star Sports, Rishabh Pant shared his profound reflections after surviving a life-threatening car crash on December 30, 2022.

Contemplating that his “time in this world was over,” Pant, now set to participate in IPL 2024, considers himself fortunate to have a second chance at life. The pivotal lesson he draws from this ordeal is the importance of unwavering self-belief.

“For the first time in my life, I experienced the sensation of letting go. I felt like my time in this world was over,” revealed Pant during the interview conducted in Bengaluru on August 24, 2023—approximately eight months post the accident.

The incident transpired as Pant was driving from Delhi to Roorkee to meet his family, resulting in a car crash into the median divider.

Reflecting on the ordeal, he shared, “It was the initial instance where such a feeling engulfed me. Despite being aware of the wounds at the time of the accident, I acknowledge my luck, recognizing that the situation could have been far more serious.”

Pant delved into various aspects during the conversation, including the accident, his mental state, the joy derived from watching the 2023 Ashes, and whether he intends to drive a car again.

Following initial treatment in Dehradun, he was airlifted to Mumbai and received specialized care from the BCCI’s consultant. Undergoing surgeries to reconstruct three ligaments in his right knee, Pant pursued rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.