Watch: Rishabh Pant returns to batting practice post-injury setback in a huge boost for India

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has provided positive news for fans after suffering a blow on his knee during New Zealand's first innings. Rishabh Pant walked off the field on the second day of the ongoing Test match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 17.

Rishabh Pant suffered the blow in the 37th over of the New Zealand innings when he missed a stumping chance against Devon Conway off Ravindra Jadeja. The ball hit his unprotected right knee. The 27-year-old was unable to continue and had to leave the field, with Dhruv Jurel taking over as wicketkeeper.

The Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper didn't come to the field as wicketkeeper on the third day of the match. Dhruv Jurel kept the stumps for the Rohit Sharma-led side during the third day. There were speculations that Rishabh Pant wouldn't come to bat in the second innings of the match against the New Zealand team.

Rishabh Pant To Bat For Team India In Second Innings?

However, Rishabh Pant is showing signs of recovery after the knee injury he sustained on Day 2. He was seen doing shadow batting practice and taking throwdowns during the Tea break. His presence on the field is a positive development for Team India, as his presence with the bat is crucial in the match.

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Pant was India's highest scorer in their first innings. The southpaw scored 20 runs off 49 balls. The team recorded its lowest Test total on home soil and the third-lowest total in its history. Five Indian batters, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, failed to score.

The Same Leg Which He's Done A Surgery On - Rohit Sharma

Speaking at the press conference after the end of Day 2, Rohit Sharma opened up about Rishabh Pant's injury. Rohit revealed that the ball struck Pant's kneecap, the same leg he had previously undergone surgery on. Rohit emphasized the decision to keep Pant off the field as a precautionary measure.

"Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg which he's done a surgery on. So he has got a bit of swelling on it. And you know the muscles are quite tender at this point in time so it's a precautionary measure," Rohit said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"We don't want to take a risk. Rishabh doesn't want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg. That was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, at night he can recover and we will see him back on the field tomorrow," the Indian captain went on to add.

Pant endured several injuries from a severe car accident in December 2022. The left-handed batter made a strong return to competitive cricket during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and played a key role in the Indian team's victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Also read: Cheteshwar Pujara called back to team India after Virat Kohli's failure at number 3 vs New Zealand