Bengaluru, India

Team India’s problems have gone from bad to worse on Day 2 of the Bengaluru Test as Rohit Sharma’s side struggles to save the Test match. Playing on Day 2 (Oct 17) against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India were first bowled out for 46 but the biggest setback came in the final session of play when Rishabh Pant limped off with a knee issue. Dhruv Jurel was then called in to act as a substitute wicketkeeper. Considering India are playing Australia in a five-match Test series starting in November, this comes as a huge setback.

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Pant limps off for India

Having earlier top-scored with 20 on a day of batting humiliation for Team India, Pant got injured on the final ball of the 37th over. The medical team rushed to the aid of the Indian wicketkeeper as he looked in pain. He felt pain in his right knee which was seriously damaged when he got injured in a car accident in December 2022. It was only in the recent series against Bangladesh that Pant returned to the Test team for Team India.

He was later seen limping off as support arrived from the medical team with bad news on the player awaited. However, skipper Rohit Sharma refused to give a clear idea on Pant during his post-day press conference and spoke on the Indian team’s batting debacle.

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India to miss Pant in Australia tour?

While nothing is clear on Pant’s injury, Team India and fans will be hoping for a quick return for the Indian stumper as a big Australian tour looms. India will play the Aussies in a five-match Test series starting November 22 in Perth. Pant played a crucial role in India’s last away tour of Australia in 2020-21 as Team India won the series 2-1. Pant’s 89-run knock in the Brisbane Test propelled Ajinkya Rahane’s side to a famous win at Gabba while they chased a total of over 300.

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For now, the management will be doing its best for Pant with two more Test matches to come in Pune and Mumbai in the coming weeks.