'The first feeling is I am happy that I am alive' - Rishabh Pant opens up on his return to Delhi Capitals

Ahead of the IPL 2024 which begins on March 22, Rishabh Pant, who is back as the captain of Delhi Capitals, after a 14-month injury break, spoke exclusively to JioCinema. He relived the moments when he came to know that DC had spent Rs 1.9 crore on him at the 2016 auction, some of his best IPL knocks, and what it feels like to come back to the game after the car accident he suffered in 2022.

On the 2016 auction when he was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.9 crore: There was a nervousness about the auction as we were playing the U-19 World Cup. We used to keep bantering about the auction. Sarfaraz (Khan) went out of the field during the drinks break and when he returned, he informed me that I was picked for Rs 1.9 crore. I told him these kinds of jokes wouldn’t work. But when we came back and I got to know, it was a really nice feeling.

On his 97 off 43 balls against the then Gujarat Lions (GL) in the 2017 IPL: Sanju (Samson) was at the crease when I came, and he asked me what the game plan was. I told him both of us should hit. But I felt sad at missing the 100. Raina bhai (from GL) came and told me not to worry about the missed ton. I would speak regularly with him and take bats from him. I was sad as it would have been my first IPL century. I don’t cry for landmarks, but don’t mind them if I achieve them.

On his 128 off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 IPL: I have played a lot against Rashid Khan since the U-19 days. So, I had an idea of how to bat against him when he was introduced into the attack. I always felt that if I can hit the best bowler of the opposing side, then I can create pressure for them.

On the process of recovery: The bigger picture was that I had been walking using crutches, then I didn’t need them. Then I began walking, then began jogging, and then running. Then batting and then wicketkeeping. I don’t remember those particular dates, but definitely remember the moments. I can’t describe the feeling I had when I first held a bat after the accident. It was amazing. You get mesmerized because of something. The feeling was like that. I didn’t feel that I was playing for the first time, but it also didn’t feel like I had played before. There was a different sort of energy and feeling.

On whether he feels any pressure returning to DC: The first feeling is I am happy that I am alive. If you are not alive, how can you even think of anything else. So, it’s important to go with the flow and enjoy these moments.

On the first IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings on Saturday: I am nervous, I am excited. It’s a mixed feeling. So, I don’t want my mind to start straying in too many directions. I want to keep it simple.

On his relationship with MS Dhoni: I am learning from him that one-on-one interactions are different from those on the phone. The transfer of energy is more important. You can’t build that connection on phone.

On how he coped with the injury: When the journey is so long, you do get frustrated. With us, we are always looking for the destination. You should enjoy the journey. When you go out to practice, then how does the bat feel in your hand, while keeping, how does it feel to have the ball in your gloves. If we start enjoying these things, then you are surrounded by positivity.