Rishabh Pant's Gritty Fight Despite Knee Injury in India vs. New Zealand Test

In the ongoing India vs. New Zealand Test series, Rishabh Pant once again displayed his trademark resilience, fighting back for his team despite a knee injury. This injury is particularly concerning as it’s the same knee he injured during his accident a year ago. Indian cricket fans were hoping for a strong comeback against New Zealand as long as the partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant was going strong. Pant came heartbreakingly close to a century, missing his tonne by just one run. However, his injury remains a significant concern for Team India moving forward.

Pant’s Knee Injury and Impact on the Match

Pant injured his knee again during the first innings of the India vs. New Zealand first Test match. In an over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, a ball struck Rishabh’s knee, causing visible pain. He had to leave the field limping, raising alarms within the Indian camp. Wicketkeeper Druv Jurel stepped in to replace him behind the stumps for the remainder of the innings.

Rohit Sharma’s Update on Pant’s Condition

After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was asked about Pant’s availability for the second Test match against New Zealand. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Rohit expressed concerns about Pant’s physical condition, stating:

“He’s had a lot of minor surgeries and one big surgery on his knee and went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one and a half years. So it’s just about being extra careful, not just careful with him.”

Rohit elaborated on Pant’s struggles during the match, highlighting his discomfort while running between the wickets and his reliance on hitting boundaries:

“Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. He was trying to only put the ball in the stands,” Rohit explained.

Regarding Pant’s fitness for keeping wickets, Rohit said:

“When you’re keeping, you have to bend every ball with your knee going down, and with the wicket being what it was, we thought it was the right thing to do for him to stay inside and then get 100 percent ready for the next one.”

Druv Jurel Steps In as Wicketkeeper

With Pant unable to continue keeping, Druv Jurel, a promising young wicketkeeper, took over behind the stumps. Jurel made his Test debut in February 2024 against England and has since impressed with his calmness under pressure. In his second Test match, held in Ranchi, he played a vital knock of 90 runs in a tough situation, helping India secure a series win. His maturity and ability to handle pressure have earned him praise from cricketing figures like Harsha Bhogle and Tom Moody.

While Jurel’s presence provides some assurance for the team, the focus remains on Pant’s recovery and his importance to Team India in the long run. Pant’s condition will be closely monitored as the second Test match approaches, and Indian fans will be hoping for his swift recovery and return to full fitness.