Rishabh Pant’s injury has added to India’s woes in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand. On Day 2, Pant suffered a blow to his left knee while keeping wickets, forcing him to retire hurt and leave the field with assistance ¹ ². The incident occurred when a ball from Ravindra Jadeja struck Pant’s knee, the same one he had surgery on after a road accident in December 2022 ².
India captain Rohit Sharma revealed that Pant’s withdrawal was precautionary, citing the previous surgery on that knee ² ³. With swelling on the knee, Pant’s availability for the remainder of the Test and upcoming crucial matches is uncertain. Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant as wicketkeeper for the rest of the day ¹.
This development compounds India’s concerns after their dismal batting performance, being bowled out for 46, their lowest-ever Test total at home ¹. New Zealand took advantage, ending Day 2 strongly at 180/3, with a lead of 134 runs ¹.
Key Concerns:
- Rishabh Pant’s Availability: Uncertainty surrounds Pant’s participation in the remainder of the Test and upcoming matches.
- India’s Batting Woes: The team’s dismal performance raises questions about their strategy and preparedness.
- New Zealand’s Dominance: The visitors’ strong batting display puts India under pressure.
