New Delhi: There were concerns regarding Rishabh Pant’s participation in the 2nd Test between India and New Zealand after the wicket-keeper batter suffered an injury blow during the recently concluded series opener in Bengaluru. Pant hurt his knee while keeping wickets during the 1st Test and was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps.
However, Pant did bat during India’s second innings of the Test match and played a sublime knock of 99 runs to help the hosts stage a fightback after they were skittled out for 46 runs in the first innings. Amid concerns over his fitness, Pant has reportedly recovered fully and has been given the green signal to take part in the 2nd Test against the Kiwis in Pune.
As per a report in The Indian Express, Pant batted with pain during his 99-run knock in India’s second innings of the Bengaluru Test and had to take pain-killing injections. However, he has been declared fit and is available for selection in the 2nd Test which is set to get underway in Pune on Thursday, October 24.
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Earlier speaking about Pant’s injury during the post-match press conference in Bengaluru, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had said the wicket-keeper batter had to endure a lot of trauma having gone multiple surgeries on his legs post his car accident in December 2022 and that the team management needs to be extra careful with his knee.
Pant was replaced by Jurel behind the wickets during New Zealand’s first innings on Day 2. However, the left-hander came out to bat in India’s second innings and went on to play a terrific knock, missing out on his 7th Test century by just 1 run. Pant has been a vital cog in India’s batting line-up in Tests and him remaining injury-free is crucial for the hosts.
India look to bounce back against New Zealand
After suffering a crushing 8-wicket defeat in the first Test, India will look to bounce back to winning ways and level the series 1-1 when they take on New Zealand in the 2nd Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune. A victory in Pune is vital for India in their bid to qualify for the final of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
India are currently on top of the WTC points table and well placed to qualify for their third straight final. However, a second successive defeat against New Zealand in the ongoing series can derail their chances of making it to the summit clash.
