NEW DELHI: Team India faced a concerning moment as Rishabh Pant hobbled off the field after getting hit by the ball on his right knee while wicket-keeping during Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The incident happened on the last ball of 37th over. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja came up with a flatter delivery which spun sharply from outside off. NZ batter Devon Conway went for a rash drive only to miss it, as the ball almost missed the off stump, eventually hitting Pant on the side of the right knee, which is not protected by pads.Pant immediately fell on the ground grimacing in pain.
The physio had a good look at Pant’s injury but finally he hobbled off the field with a lot of pain. Dhruv Jurel, subbed in for Pant, stepped onto the field with his pads and helmet.
While the extent of the injury remains unclear, any setback to his recovery could impact India’s plans in the ongoing Test series and upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Fans and teammates are hoping for a speedy recovery, as Pant’s dynamic presence is vital for India’s middle-order stability.
