Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant revealed that staying away from cricket was tough for him, especially during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), after his deadly car accident.

The last season of the IPL became stressful after Pant had a serious car accident in December 2022, which has still kept him out of action. As the captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC), Pant found it challenging to distance himself from the team, especially when they were struggling in the IPL 2023.

Rishabh Pant told Star Sports: “I tried not to watch cricket a lot. I realized that what coaches say is true. ‘It’s tough to watch cricket from off the field.  IPL was on and Delhi was playing. Itna mazaa nahi aaya. I felt we could do things differently. I was having my own ideas.”

Pant continued, “I was discussing some strategies with them but I realized I’m on the outside. When people are on the inside, there is a difference. When I’m inside, I can control things. There are so many things going on in my mind. But you can say anything when you are just watching the game from outside.

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People who were playing and involved – the coach or the captain – had a different thought process. So, it would have created confusion. Nobody would get the advantage. Unless they ask me for my opinion, I would be happy to give it but if it’s going on, then I should not interfere.”

The Indian star further said that he enjoyed watching the Ashes 2023 and was impressed with England's ‘Bazball’ strategy.

Pant also revealed that the Indian captain Rohit Sharma has often told him that they will begin ‘Rish-ball’.

Pat explained, “I was feeling the stress and then I felt I needed to cut down on watching cricket. Then I watched the Ashes and I really enjoyed that. I liked the way England played their cricket.”

He signed off by saying, “It’s something that I’m used to. Rohit Bhai keeps on joking about it, ‘Rish-ball banayenge hum bhi. Let others too play the same way. “I say do whatever you like, I don’t have a problem.”

(With Star Sports Inputs)