Amongst the cricketing fraternity being elated on his comeback will be West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, who is aware of what it feels like having doubts over walking again, let alone coming back to the cricket field, after surviving a car crash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cReally exciting times for cricket overall, especially in India. Thus far, in his career, he has been tremendous and been one of India\u2019s brightest stars. It\u2019s so pleasurable-n-satisfying to see that he\u2019s going to be in the park soon. I think everyone is looking forward to see how he goes and I am really excited and very happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI know that last 12-14 months have been really challenging for him, where he had the darkest days of his life. But he\u2019s blessed and has now got another chance to play the game. I really hope he continues to enjoy the game, express himself and show the world the talent he\u2019s blessed with,\u201d said Pooran in an exclusive conversation with IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In January 2015, Pooran needed two surgeries to repair a left patellar tendon and right ankle fracture, and then six months before he could start walking again and eventually play top-flight cricket again after surviving a car crash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When Pant found himself in a situation where walking again and finding that normalcy like any other human being was more important than thinking of returning to the game after surviving a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, Pooran got in touch with him to be a supportive figure-cum-morale-booster in that difficult phase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI just believe when in a situation like that, you really need good people around you. For someone like me who\u2019s been in a similar position as well, I just felt like I need to be there for him as well in this time. We have been quite good friends as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo it was just nice to have conversations \u2013 just pick up the phone, give him a call and chat for a little while to talk about what he\u2019s going through in that moment. Whatever advice I had and helped me in my time, I just tried to share those experiences with him.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI just kept telling him that he\u2019s going to be fine and that everything happens for a reason. He shouldn\u2019t try to question things too much as whatever has happened, has happened and just try to stay positive throughout it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cRight from the beginning, he never doubted himself and had no doubts in his mind over being fine and eventually returning to play cricket. It was really nice to talk to him and just being there for him in those kind of situations. You just need people to be there to support you and I was trying to do exactly that,\u201d recalled Pooran.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also talked of the time where Pant realised patience was the need of the hour in his slow and long recovery journey. \u201cHe isn\u2019t that patient when batting, but this was such a situation he found himself in, that he had to be patient about. Plus, it\u2019s really slow progress as well, especially in injuries like this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, it was all about taking it day by day and he understood the task. He was really good at it although there were frustrating times. He handled the recovery process admirably like a champ, so well done to him.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Things did change for the better for Pant, when he became crutches free and hit the nets again, which made Pooran elated, considering the smallest of wins become big milestones in the recovery journey moving at a snail\u2019s pace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe live in different places and whenever I saw something related to his recovery process on Instagram, I would give him a call and get right to the source. Seeing videos of him being crutches free and batting again, that felt really good.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThose little victorious moments mean a lot, because I do know that when you start to see progress and are in those scenarios, then they are the junctures one really looks forward to in the journey to recovery. Those are the clinching points which motivate and inspire you to wake up in the morning and push even harder.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pooran, who will be tuned in to Saturday\u2019s game from Jaipur, ahead of LSG\u2019s season opener against Rajasthan Royals, thinks Pant will thrive in his multiple roles on the field \u2013 as a batter, wicketkeeper and being DC\u2019s captain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe just needs to enjoy every moment of this game and have fun. It can\u2019t get any simpler than that. He\u2019s going to be fine and when he\u2019s back on the field, he will figure it out to how to be at his old self. He\u2019s going to be much better in playing as well, but for now, he just needs to embrace the situation and have fun.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
What a joie de vivre figure like Pant went through in the last 14 months has given him a whole new maturity and perspective on life which takes ages for people to gain. When he walks out for the toss at Mullanpur with that illuminating smile on his face, seeing Pant return to a cricket field serves as a testimony to his hardwork, determination and believe in himself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe faith in God was also important for him. He\u2019s a positive guy and is one of those individuals who\u2019s really optimistic in lots of situations. I am just so happy that he\u2019s in a position of returning onto the cricket field. Just really looking forward to him hitting balls as far as he can,\u201d signed off Pooran.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/03\/ipl-2024-how-nicholas-pooran-became-a-supportive-figure-for-rishabh-pant-in-his-recovery-journey.JPG", "alt_img": "IPL 2024: How Nicholas Pooran became a supportive figure for Rishabh Pant in his recovery journey", "alt_title": "Mohali: Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals players during a practice session ahead of their IPL Match", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "IPL 2024: How Nicholas Pooran Became A Supportive Figure For Rishabh Pant In His Recovery Journey On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "IPL 2024: How Nicholas Pooran Became A Supportive Figure For Rishabh Pant In His Recovery Journey, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: When Rishabh Pant makes a comeback to competitive cricket in Saturday\u2019s afternoon game of IPL.", "seo_keywords": "How Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, When Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket, West Indies, Nicholas Pooran, In January, When Pant, Rajasthan Royals", "tag": "", "tagging": "Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, When Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, West Indies, Nicholas Pooran, In January, When Pant, Rajasthan Royals", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "ipl-2024-how-nicholas-pooran-became-a-supportive-figure-for-rishabh-pant-in-his-recovery-journey", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1357", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-03-23 09:48:04", "updated": "2024-03-23 09:48:04", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "How Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, When Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket, West Indies, Nicholas Pooran, In January, When Pant, Rajasthan Royals", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-03-23 09:48:04", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/ipl-2024-how-nicholas-pooran-became-a-supportive-figure-for-rishabh-pant-in-his-recovery-journey-140944" }