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A knee injury to Rishabh Pant has created a significant challenge for India ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The wicketkeeper-batter sustained a blow on Day 3 of the first Test in Bengaluru, which India lost by eight wickets.
Despite being injured, Pant walked in to bat in India’s second innings and played a remarkable 99-run knock with the help of 9 fours and 5 gigantic sixes. However, he didn’t take the field in the fourth innings of the match. His injury is particularly concerning as it involves the same knee that underwent surgery last year following a serious car accident in December 2022.
Rohit Sharma’s take on Rishabh Pant’s injury
In a post-match press conference, India captain Rohit Sharma expressed the need for caution in Pant’s recovery, acknowledging the multiple surgeries the youngster has undergone on the knee off late.
“He has had a massive operation on his knee. We need to be a little careful about you know, where he’s at and what he is to us. Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. You know, he was trying to only put the ball in the stands but again with someone like him, we just need to be extra careful, because he’s had a lot of minor surgeries, and one big surgery on his knee,” Rohit said about Pant’s injury.
Rohit also emphasized the physical demands of wicketkeeping and explained the team’s decision to rest Pant from those duties in the first Test. He also noted Pant’s struggles with running while batting, often opting to clear the boundary rather than relying on conventional running between the wickets.
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“Rishabh Pant has gone through a lot of trauma, to be honest in the last 1.5 years. So it’s just about being extra careful with him. So, you know, when you’re keeping, you have to bend every ball with your knee going down, and the wicket being what it was, we thought it was the right thing to do for him to stay inside and then get 100% ready for the next one,” the Indian skipper added.
Pant doubtful for second Test against New Zealand
Pant’s participation in the upcoming Test in Pune remains uncertain. The final decision will be made by captain Rohit and the head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to reports, the team’s management has deferred the final call, allowing for flexibility based on Pant’s fitness ahead of the match.
With the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia just two months away, Pant’s fitness is crucial for India. The team management is considering to rest him for the second Test against New Zealand to ensure his full recovery. A final decision is expected soon.
Though Pant’s absence could further complicate India’s preparations for the second Test, but the team remains hopeful for his speedy recovery and return to full fitness.
