Rishabh Pant has swelling in knee: Captain Rohit Sharma shares injury update
India captain Rohit Sharma provided an update on wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's injury, revealing that Pant was hit on the same knee that underwent surgery earlier in 2023.
by India Today Sports Desk · India TodayIn Short
- Rishabh Pant injured his knee on Day 2 of the Bengaluru Test
- Rohit Sharma said that Rishabh Pant had swelling in his knee
- New Zealand were 180 for three in reply to India's 46 all out
India captain Rohit Sharma revealed that wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was struck on the same knee on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand and underwent surgery earlier in 2023. Pant sustained a knee injury in the Bengaluru Test, raising concerns over his availability for the remainder of the game. Pant left the field after being struck on the knee while keeping during day two of India's first Test against New Zealand on October 17.
The incident occurred in the evening session when Ravindra Jadeja bowled a flatter delivery that Devon Conway missed while advancing down the wicket. Pant, unable to collect the ball cleanly, was hit on his right knee and fell in visible pain. The physio attended to him, and after a brief stoppage, Pant was helped off the field. Pant, playing his third Test since recovering from a serious car crash in December 2022 that severely injured his knee, returned to cricket during the 2024 IPL before rejoining India's Test side last month.
Pant, visibly in pain, immediately fell to the ground and was escorted off the field, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in to keep wickets for the remainder of the day in his absence."Unfortunately, the knee. The ball went and hit straight on his knee cap, the leg which he had surgery on. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it. The muscles are bit tender at this point of time. It's a precautionary measure," Rohit stated during the post-match press conference.
Rohit added that the team would be cautious regarding Pant's return to action and mentioned that he was hopeful that he will take the field again in this match. "We don't want to take any risks. Rishabh did not want to take a risk. He has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg. That was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, tonight he can recover and we will see him back on the field tomorrow," Rohit added.
Rohit Sharma had elected to bat first in overcast conditions after winning the toss, a decision that backfired. Reflecting on the decision, Rohit admitted, "We thought it won't help seamers much after the first session or so; there wasn't much grass either. We thought it would be flat. It was a misjudgment, and I couldn't read the pitch well." New Zealand were 180 for three in their first innings in reply to India's 46 all out on the second day of the rain-hit opening Test on Thursday.