Huge blow for Team India, may have only 10 batters in 2nd innings of 1st Test vs NZ, here’s WHY
Team India have their backs against the wall in the 1st Test vs New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. They have been bowled out for a mere 46 – their lowest ever score in Tests at home in the last 92 years and the lead of the Black Caps has already crossed well past 200 on Day 3 of the Test match on Friday.
But there was more bad news in story for the Indian side as wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has badly injured his knee on the field on Thursday afternoon. The extent of Pant’s injury is such that he will not keeping wickets on Day 3 of the Test match and it remains to be seen if the Delhi Capitals star will be able to even bat as Rohit Sharma’s side battle to save this Test match.
The Indian team management informed shortly before resumption of play on Friday that Pant will remain away from action. “Mr Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets on Day 3. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the statement said.
Pant was hit on his right knee in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja spun sharply inwards and hit his right knee with Devon Conway at the strike.
UPDATE: Mr Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets on Day 3.
The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.
Follow the match – https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2024
The wicketkeeper-batter had to leave the field and captain Rohit Sharma informed after the end of play that there was some swelling and the team did not want to take any risks. He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel for the remainder of the play.
Pant had undergone multiple surgeries on the right knee after that horrific car accident in December 2022. “Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg which he has done a surgery. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it and the muscles are quite tender at this point of time,” Rohit Sharma told media at the end of Day 2 on Thursday.
“It is a precautionary measure. We do not want to take a risk. Rishabh does not want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg,” he said.
“So, that was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, tonight he can recover and we will see him back on the field tomorrow,” added Rohit.
Pant has missed the entire 2023 season due to the injuries her suffered in the car accident. He only made his comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season but scored his 6th Test match hundred against Bangladesh in the 1st Test in Chennai last month.
He also top-scored for India with 20 in the first innings of this Test as India were bundled out for 46.