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Day 3 of the India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (SSC) in Colombo has come to an early end due to rain coming in towards the back end. The home side still needs 238 runs with just two wickets in hand. After the match, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel shared an injury update on Rishabh Pant.
Pant has not been doing the wicket-keeping in the match from Day 2, as Dhruv Jurel has taken the glovework. The Southpaw batted yesterday and scored fifty after being retired hurt on the first day of the match. Previously, Jurel revealed the fact to the media that why the experienced batter is not behind the stumps.
Morne Morkel provides update on Rishabh Pant
Now, while speaking to the media, Morne Morkel provided an update on Rishabh Pant, as the pacer provided a nearly similar statement shared by Jurel on Monday. Morkel said that the Southpaw’s shoulder has been bruised and he has not been able to warm up ahead of the match today. However, Morkel stated that he will be available on day 4.
Morne Morkel on Rishabh Pant (as quoted by Cricbuzz), "His right shoulder is badly bruised. When he tried warm up this morning, his movement was restricted. They’ll be monitoring him tonight. Hopefully he’ll be behind the stumps tomorrow."
Rishabh Pant's form
Rishabh Pant has been batting well in the series so far. In this match, he played a knock of 63 runs in the first innings after being struck on his left wrist. Though he has been missing from the field, whenever India comes to bat, he will surely come and bat for the side.
Pant has played two good knocks in the first Test, scoring 39 and 66 in the first game; the latter knock helped India to get to a good total as they won the match by 165 runs. He broke several records in that Test match as he became the first India batter to smack 100 sixes in the traditional format of the game.
Morne Morkel praises Prasidh Krishna
Morkel also spoke about Prasidh Krishna's impressive performance with the ball. The Karnataka-based pacer has been the joint-highest wicket-taker in the first innings alongside Manav Suthar with three wickets each. He dismissed both openers, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, and Kamindu Mendis in the match. He has bowled amazingly from day 2 of the Test match.
Morkel backed Prasidh Krishna for showing amazing spirit despite facing criticism from the media and former cricketers. The former South Africa pacer revealed that they always backed the 30-year-old pacer during his poor form. Morkel also stated that the management provided him clarity role in England, which helped him bowl more fuller and with consistency.
India have the upper hand in this Test match with Sri Lanka 265/8 at the end of day's play, with Sonal Dinusha the lone fighter after Pasindu Sooriyanbandara was dismissed for 80 runs. The Southpaw is the only hope that the home side could save a follow-on, as he is nearing another hundred, being unbeaten at 85*.
