The supremely gifted Rishabh Pant says he will need a few more months to get back to playing competitive cricket as he appreciated the love and support he received during his long rehabilitation period.

Pant had met with a horrifying car accident last year and missed the entire 2023 after undergoing a knee surgery.

"(I am feeling) much better (than) what I was doing a few months ago. So like, (I am) still on recovery towards 100 per cent (fitness). But hopefully in a few months time, I'll be able to do it," an optimistic Pant said in a video posted by the Delhi Capitals on its instagram page.

The Delhi Capitals skipper, who will be present at the mini auction alongside Team Director Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting here on Tuesday, had a close shave after his car hit a divider on National Highway towards Roorkee and caught fire in a terrifying accident in December last year.

The 26-year-old suffered multiple injuries and is currently under going rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. However, he is expected to be back to action during the IPL which starts on March 22.

What touched Pant was the love and concern shown by the fans, which he felt he realised for the first time.

"I think it's been really amazing because whenever we keep on playing cricket, we feel no one loves us because there is always pressure in so many things. But actually yes, it's a hard time.

"But I got to know at least people love us. They respect us and the kind of appreciation and the kind of concern I would say people have shown over a period of time because of my injury," Pant said.

"I think it was heartfelt, like crazy for me because it means a lot as an individual."

Pant said the love and affection shown by people has helped him make a quicker recovery.

"When you are going through a very rough time or something like that happens to you. It's not only physical, it's like mentally also and if your supporters and the people support you or show you love, it means a lot and it's it really helps in recovering."

In the absence of Pant, Australia opener David Warner led DC last season with the team finishing second from last.

"Thank you for always being supportive all the time. Yes, I know sometimes we have given you a hard time as fans.

"But see, we try to do our best all the time and, hopefully, next year in time to come, we will show the kind of respect or love you have shown over a period of time, hopefully we can reciprocate it over a period of time, and just keep supporting us," Pant said.