Star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant says that doctors raised the prospect of amputating his leg after the serious car crash that threatened to end his cricket career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 26-year-old is set to play for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League starting this month after a 14-month absence following the accident.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He is also in contention for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States in June if all goes well on his comeback in the IPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant said his long layoff had taken a toll on him physically and mentally, but knows it could have been far worse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When my accident happened I felt something spiritual saved me," Pant, who missed the last season of the IPL, told Wednesday's Times of India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With the kind of accident I had, I only got my knee injured, but I can't even imagine how much worse it could have been.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Doctors even spoke to me about amputation."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant crashed his Mercedes SUV north of New Delhi in December 2022, suffering multiple injuries when the car rammed into a crash barrier, flipped over and caught fire.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was rushed to hospital before being airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment and surgery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
An intensive rehabilitation programme followed with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as he recovered from a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions to his back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant said he had been "anxiously waiting" to be declared fit and had been distressed to sit out last year's ODI World Cup at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It was very upsetting. We discussed with the NCA team that we will take a shot at the World Cup. All of us tried 200 percent, but my knee couldn't take the load," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant had also hoped to be fit for India's 4-1 Test series win over England which concluded on the weekend, but said the cricket board had not wanted to rush him back into the gruelling format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The swashbuckling player said the accident had changed his whole outlook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Gratitude towards life has increased a lot. You start appreciating small things about life."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant has played for India 129 times across all three formats since making his international debut in 2017.<\/p>\r\n\r\n