• Source:JND
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Rishabh Pant Injury: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered a knee injury during the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru. While the injury prevented him from keeping wickets for the remainder of the match, Pant still managed to bat in the second innings, scoring an impressive 99. However, with the second Test scheduled to start in Pune on Thursday, doubts remain about his fitness and availability.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the final decision on Pant’s participation has been left to the team management, who will assess his condition closer to the match. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets during the first Test and is seen as a potential replacement if Pant is unable to play. The team might also use this opportunity to give Jurel more exposure ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia, viewing him as a reliable long-term option.

Pant’s injury is a concern, given his importance to the team in both the batting and wicket-keeping roles, but Jurel’s solid performances have made him a viable backup.

On the other hand, Pant has vowed to make a strong comeback after India suffered a heartbreak defeat against New Zealand in the first Test at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Pant shared a heartfelt post saying the "game will test your limits but those who love it rise stronger" after playing a fighting knock in the second innings.

Despite the first innings setback, India scripted a fightback in the second essay led by Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) which guided them to 462 and set a 107 target for the visitors.

The duo stitched a crucial partnership of 177 runs for the fourth wicket and put the Black Caps under pressure. However, Pant missed out on a well-deserved century despite batting with pain following a blow on his right knee which kept him off the field for New Zealand's entire second innings. He played onto his wicket off pacer William O'Rourke.

Pant suffered a blow after Ravindra Jadeja's sharp turning ball hit him on the kneecap in the first innings following which Jurel substituted him behind the stumps for the remaining part of the match.

Inputs from IANS