'Exposure to so much info could have blasted my head' - Rishabh Pant on steering away from social media during rehabilitation

Post an alarming car accident on December 30, 2022, resulting in multiple injuries, Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant's dedication and resolve has paid off. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been cleared by the BCCI to make his much-anticipated return to cricket in the upcoming IPL 2024 season with the Delhi Capitals.

Pant's road to recovery has been strenous; undergoing ligament reconstruction surgery on his right knee, along with treatment for a fractured wrist and ankle sustained in the crash. The young cricketer, who last played in December 2022, had to dig deep, both physically and mentally, to get back on the pitch.

As Pant is preparing to join his IPL team, excitement and relief are through the roof. Despite bearing the scar of 120 stitches across his face, he had a smile on his face. Pant, who received the news about getting the green signal from the BCCI, was seen leaving for the airport to join the DC camp in Vizag.

Also read: Feels like I’m making my debut again: Rishabh Pant

'You need to give yourself space from that' - Rishabh Pant

During his recovery, Pant distanced himself from the game he loves to maintain perspective and clarity of thought. "I won’t say I watched every match. Because when you miss something so much, you need to give yourself space from that. I have been playing cricket all my life. I haven’t thought about anything else. Watching them play was temptation but I didn’t want that to play with my mind. I used to watch the matches once in a while when I used to be done with my routine," he said to Times of India.

Social media, with its constant opinions and conjecture, was another aspect Pant had to navigate with delicate causion. "Staying away from social media helped a lot. The way the world is moving with social media, it’s difficult to think straight all the time. If you start thinking about everything, you won’t be able to process anything. I used to log in once in a while but it was very limited because exposure to so much info about me could have blasted my head," he added.

What kept Pant going were the warmth and blessings from his well-wishers. "What stood out was the kind of love people gave me and the blessings that poured in. That motivated me to strive harder. Blessings are always helpful. A year ago, people were discussing I may never play again or it will take two years at least," said the Delhi Capitals captain.

Also read: 'Doctors even spoke to me about amputation' - Rishabh Pant on accident

Talking about how the accident changed him as a person, "I wanted to retain my identity. I never felt like I had to change drastically. You want to add things that help you. Gratitude towards life has increased a lot. You start appreciating small things about life," he concluded."

The Delhi Capitals will be playing their opening game against the Punjab Kings on 23rd March, 2024, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Punjab.