A left knee injury sustained on Day 2 of last week’s first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru prevented Rishabh Pant from keeping wickets for a significant portion of the match. The 26-year-old’s recovery in time for the second Test, which starts on Thursday, October 24, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, is something that India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate is optimistic about.
When Pant attempted to gather a delivery in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings, he injured his knee. He started to exhibit severe discomfort right away, so India’s medical staff hurried out onto the pitch to check on him. Pant was taken off the pitch after being treated because he was unable to continue.
Dhruv Jurel, India’s backup wicketkeeper, wore the gloves for the rest of the match. During India’s second innings, Pant came out to bat and hit an incredible 99 runs. He did not, however, join his teammates in the second innings of the game, as Jurel once again took over as wicketkeeper. On Day 5, the tourists defeated a 107-run goal in just 27.4 overs, winning by eight wickets.
Ten Doeschate stated that the pacers are getting enough sleep and that the squad as a whole is performing well during a pre-game press conference on October 22. Additionally, he said that Pant has been recuperating nicely and that he might be able to hold onto wickets in Pune.
Yes, everyone seems to be doing great. The first Test didn’t have a lot of bowling, so the fast bowlers are all in good form. Rishabh does a decent job. I believe Rohit mentioned that the other day. At the end of his knee’s range of motion, he was experiencing some discomfort. Doeschate, however, expressed hope that he will be healthy enough to be retained for the Test as well.
The results of Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket last month
In December 2022, Rishabh Pant had a near-fatal accident that caused him to miss 14 months of competitive cricket. Earlier this year, during the Indian Premier League (IPL), he returned to action. Following some outstanding franchise league performances, he made a comeback to the national squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he made several crucial knocks to help India win the competition for the second time.
Last month, Pant made his eagerly anticipated Test return by participating in the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and India. In Chennai, he made a century in his comeback Test match.
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He has accumulated 280 runs at an average of 56 in six innings this season. Indian supporters will be hoping he gets well before the second Test, since the hosts need to win to salvage the series.
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