'Was Scared That My Leg Could Be Amputated After Car Accident' Says Rishabh Pant

Indian Cricketer Rishabh Pant has revealed that he feared the amputation of his right leg in the aftermath of the horrific car crash in December 2022.

"If there was any nerve damage, there was a possibility of amputation. That is when I felt scared," Pant said in Star Sports series 'Believe: To Death & Back' which documents his recovery.

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Rishabh Pant had a narrow escape

The wicketkeeper-batsman was on his way from Delhi to his hometown Roorkee to meet his family when his car crashed into the median divider on the road.

The 26-year-old had a narrow escape as two men, the driver and conductor of a Haryana Roadways bus who saw the accident pulled Pant out of the SUV, moments before it went up in flames.

"At the time of the accident, I was aware of the wounds, but I was lucky as it could have been even more serious," he said.

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What happened after the accident

According to Pant, he was in excruciating pain as his right knee had dislocated, turning 180 degrees to the right as he lay face down.

"There was someone around so I asked if he could help getting the leg back in the position. He helped the knee get back in place," Pant said.

Pant underwent initial treatment at a hospital in Dehradun and was later airlifted to Mumbai where he was under the care of a specialist consultant brought in by the BCCI.

Rishabh Pant hopes for a comeback

After undergoing surgeries to reconstruct all three ligaments in his right knee, Pant did his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

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It has been more than 13 months since Pant survived the horrific crash, and he is still on the path of recovery.

Doctors have given him 16 to 18 months of recovery time.

"He (Doctor) said it would take 16 to 18 months. I told the doctor from whatever timeline you give me, I will reduce six months from it," said Pant.

Rishabh Pant still wants to drive

The life-changing accident has also meant that friends and family have now told Pant that he should not drive again.

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"Nowadays I am told, 'Yaar, don't drive at all.' But no one was more scared than me. No one was more upset than me. I will still drive because I love to. Just because there was a setback doesn't mean that you do not do those things ever again," he said.

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