Being bowled out for just 46 runs in their first innings was tough enough for India, but an injury to Rishabh Pant made matters even worse in Bengaluru. Pant suffered a blow to his right knee, the same one he had surgery on following a life-threatening car accident. The incident took place late on the second day, during the 37th over of New Zealand's innings when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja turned sharply, kept low, and struck Pant on the side of the knee that had been operated on. He immediately showed signs of distress, prompting the medical staff to come to his aid. Despite receiving treatment, he struggled to stand and was eventually assisted off the field by two team members.
Once he left the field, Dhruv Jurel donned the gloves and kept wickets for the remainder of the day. Previously, substitute wicketkeepers were not permitted, but the rule was amended in 2018, allowing Jurel to replace Pant behind the sticks.
With Pant being India’s first-choice wicketkeeping option, his fitness is paramount for the team. Following his injury, skipper Rohit Sharma was asked about Pant's condition and whether he would be able to return to the field.
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"It was a direct blow to his knee. He was in pain,” Rohit said at the press conference after the day's play in Bengaluru. “He has some swelling on his knee. It's the same knee on which he had surgery. So, Rishabh (Pant) and all of us don’t want to take any risks. Hopefully, he’ll be back in this match."
After a road accident in December 2022, Pant underwent surgery in 2023 and only made his return to competitive cricket earlier this year during the IPL. This latest injury seems to be a setback for the wicketkeeper-batter, as he is now experiencing swelling in the same knee.
As Rohit mentioned, the team is hopeful of Pant taking the field soon, but they'll ensure that happens only if he is 100 percent fit. The 27-year-old cricketer will be closely monitored tonight by the medical team.
With the Australia tour on the horizon, India don’t want to risk the keeper-batter, as he’s one of their top performers in the longest format of the game and has enjoyed success down under.
Given how India fared in the first innings and with New Zealand eyeing a big lead, Pant’s role with the bat in the second innings becomes even more crucial, as he’s one player who can change the complexion of the game quite quickly.
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