New Delhi, July 5, 2020 (Xinhua) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the mother of football star Rishabh Pant as he was recovering from injuries following a car accident, and asked doctors to treat him abroad if necessary.

During a meeting with the T20 World Cup-winning cricketer here on Thursday, the Prime Minister said he was following Pant's social media posts, which showed his rehabilitation routine.

Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi quizzed contestant Priyanka Goswami on 'Bal Krishna', wished her luck at Paris Olympics 2024 (Watch Video)

Pant survived a horrific car accident while driving from Delhi to his hometown Roorkee in December 2022. After a year of intensive recovery and rehabilitation, he returned to professional cricket in the 2024 Indian Premier League and returned to India for the recently concluded T20 World Cup, which India won by beating South Africa in the final in Barbados.

“Your road to recovery has been difficult. “I used to see your posts (on social media) showing that you do this thing today and that thing the next day,” the prime minister said.

Also Read | Portugal vs France, Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Live Streaming & Match Time India Time: How to Watch Portugal vs France Live Free on TV & Online Streaming on Football Match Details in India?

Details of the conversation were made public on Friday.

“I first discussed this issue with the doctors and sought their opinion before speaking to your mother. I told them that if he (Pant) needs treatment outside India, take him and get it done,” the Prime Minister said.

“It’s amazing that your mother has so much confidence in herself. I think someone with a mother like that will never fail. I have that opinion and I show it to the world.”

“When I spoke to you, you said it (the accident) was your fault. It is a big deal, you did not give any reason, like there was an evacuation etc. This is your open-mindedness. I pay attention to the small things in life and learn from others. You will inspire the people of India,” he said.

When the Prime Minister asked him about those difficult days, Pant said: “It was a normal thought process, even though it was a very difficult time. I remember it because you called my mother and a lot of things went through my mind.

“My mother told me that Mr. (Prime Minister) said there was no problem, and that gave me a kind of mental relaxation.

“During that time, I also heard people questioning whether I would be able to play cricket again or not, whether I would be able to bat as well as a wicketkeeper. I thought for the last year and a half or two years, I would do better than before. “I will play international cricket again and I will see India winning.”

(This is an unedited, auto-generated story from a syndicated news feed, the Latest team cannot alter or edit the content text)