New Delhi: In what comes as a welcome news for the Indian cricket team, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was spotted sharpening his batting skills during the tea break on the third day of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Pant, who suffered a blow to his knee on the second day of the five-day affair, had to hobble off the field as it seemed to be a major injury and eventually did not take the field on Friday.
Though, skipper Rohit Sharma has communicated after the end of day’s play on Thursday that Pant’s walking back to the pavilion was just a precautionary measure and he will take part in the live action on Friday. But just before the resumption of play on the third day, the Indian cricket board announced that Pant would not take the field and Dhruv Jurel, who wore the gloves on Thursday in his absence, replaces him as the wicket-keeper.
Pant spotted practicing
In a good news for the Indian cricket team, Pant was spotted practicing on the field while both the teams went for the tea break. In the video that was posted on social media site X, the Indian player was seen sharpening his batting skills, keeping in mind the need for him to come out and bat for his side. India managed to bowl out New Zealand for 402 in the first innings on Friday with the Kiwis taking a massive lead of 356 runs.
For the hosts, hopes raised and fortunes changed as they were off to a solid start, accumulating 231 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets at the end of day’s play. Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit gave the side a good start with scores of 35 and 52 respectively and then Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan continued the good run smashing 70 each. Kohli unfortunately lost his wicket on 70 and the umpires had to call it a day post that. India trail Kiwis by 125 more runs.
Watch the video
Biggest cheer of the day for Rishabh Pant, who has come out to warm up. Looks fit.. #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/uilewpAKEY
— Aakash Sivasubramaniam (@aakashs26) October 18, 2024
