NEW DELHI: After surviving a life-threatening accident, Rishabh Pant remained unwavering in his belief that he would return to top-flight cricket. Even if it required a miracle, he was confident he could make it happen.
While his treating doctor, the esteemed orthopedic surgeon Dinshaw Pardiwala, held a less optimistic outlook, Pant dismissed any concerns by simply labeling himself as a "miracle man."
"When you get back to competitive cricket, it will be a miracle.. after a high-velocity knee dislocation, in this kind of a situation... But that's when he said, 'I am a miracle man. I have managed two, I will certainly manage a third'," Pardiwala recalled his conversation with the cricketer in a show documenting Pant's incredible comeback to action after 14 months.
Part 1 of the 'Miracle Man' releases on Thursday on BCCI.TV.
In a trailer, Pant said he is feeling "very close to normal".
As the swashbuckling batter gets ready to return to action in the upcoming Indian Premier League, Dhananjay Kaushik, the physiotherapist at National Cricket Academy (NCA), spoke about the severity of the injuries the player suffered in that accident 2022.
"If you are talking about the right knee, none of the ligaments were spared during that accident. If you are talking about ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), lateral collateral ligament ligament, medial collateral ligament...
"Also a part of the quadriceps, you name it and he didn't have it. I think if there is anyone who could make a comeback, it's just Rishabh only, with the kind of effort and attitude he has got. The way he takes things in his stride...," Kaushik said.
1/10:Wicketkeepers to play in every season of IPL
Getty Images
2/10:MS Dhoni
<p>A stalwart of the IPL, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been a constant in every season, leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from the start, except for the 2016-17 seasons when the team faced suspension.</p>Getty Images
3/10:Dhoni's Record-Breaking Journey
<p>As the most successful wicketkeeper in IPL history, Dhoni boasts 180 dismissals, including 138 catches and 42 stumpings, underlining his prowess behind the stumps for CSK since the inaugural 2008 season.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Dinesh Karthik
<p>A seasoned campaigner, Dinesh Karthik has participated in all IPL editions, featuring for multiple teams and amassing 242 games as a wicketkeeper, making 169 dismissals with 133 catches and 36 stumpings.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Karthik's Experience
<p>Renowned for his experience, Karthik holds the record for the second-most catches behind the wicket in IPL history, stepping down as KKR captain in the previous season and returning to RCB for IPL 2022.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Wriddhiman Saha
<p>A versatile wicketkeeper-batsman, Wriddhiman Saha has showcased his skills for various IPL teams, accumulating 106 dismissals, including 82 catches and 24 stumpings, while also excelling with the bat, particularly in the 2020 season</p>Getty Images
7/10:Saha's Multifaceted Contributions
<p>Recognized as one of the best keepers in international cricket, Saha's IPL journey has seen him play for Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.<br /></p>Getty Images
8/10:Consistency in Leadership
<p>MS Dhoni's enduring presence as a wicketkeeper in every IPL season aligns with his role as a consistent leader, playing a pivotal role in CSK's success both as a captain and a specialist keeper.</p>Getty Images
9/10:Versatile Dinesh Karthik
<p>Dinesh Karthik's enduring presence across all IPL seasons showcases his versatility, having played for multiple teams while maintaining a high level of performance as a wicketkeeper-batsman.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Wide Spectrum of Skills
<p>Wriddhiman Saha's contribution to various IPL teams reflects his wide spectrum of skills, excelling behind the stumps and making significant batting contributions.</p>Getty ImagesPant was cleared to play the IPL by the BCCI on Tuesday. His team Delhi Capitals will open its IPL campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23.
He met with a horrific car crash in December, 2022, while driving to his home in Roorkee. He suffered multiple injuries and a ligament reconstruction surgery had to be performed on his right knee. He was also left to nurse a fractured wrist and ankle.
The 26-year-old underwent an extensive rehabilitation and recovery process at the National Cricket Academy following the accident.
The big-hitting player has appeared in 33 Tests, 30 ODIs and 66 T20 Internationals for India.
On Pant's journey, Nishanta Bordoloi, the strength & conditioning specialist at NCA, said it has made him more resilient and strong.
"Every incident in our life has a certain kind of outcome and I think, if not anything else, it has made him a better human being, having better understanding of life, respecting life as a whole, respecting things around, made him more resilient, more stronger," Bordoloi said.
(With inputs from PTI)
