IND vs NZ 2024: Will injury-hit Rishabh Pant play second Test in Pune?

Knee injury to Rishabh Pant posed a major challenge to India ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The wicketkeeper batsman scored on Day 3 of the first Test in Bengaluru, as India lost by eight wickets.

Despite being injured, Pant came in and batted in India’s second innings again he played an impressive knock of 99 runs with the help of 9 fours and 5 huge sixes. However, he did not enter the fourth innings of the game. His injury is very worrying as it affects the knee that was operated on last year following a bad car accident in December 2022.

Rohit Sharma’s take on Rishabh Pant’s injury

In the post-match press conference, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma he expressed the need for caution in Pant’s recovery, acknowledging the many knee surgeries the youngster has undergone of late.

“He had a serious operation on his knee. We need to be a little more aware of you know, where you are and what you are to us. Even when he hit, he didn’t run well. You know, he was only trying to put the ball on the field but also with a person like him, we have to be very careful, because he has had several surgeries, one knee surgery,” Rohit said about Pant’s injury.

Rohit also emphasized the physical demands of wicketkeeping and explained the team’s decision to rest Pant for those duties in the first Test. He also noted Pant’s difficulty with running while batting, often preferring to clear the boundary rather than rely on conventional runs between the wickets.

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“Rishabh Pant has gone through a lot of trauma, to be honest in the last 1.5 years. So it’s about being more aware of him. So, you know, when you end up, you have to bend the whole ball with your knee down, and the wicket being what it was, we thought it was the right thing for him to do to stay in and get 100% I’m ready for the next one,” added the Indian captain.

Pant doubts about the second Test against New Zealand

Pant’s participation in the upcoming Test in Pune remains uncertain. The final decision will be taken by the captain Rohit and the head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to reports, the team management postponed the final call, allowing flexibility based on Pant’s fitness ahead of the match.

At a high level Border-Gavaskar Trophy With Australia just two months away, Pant’s fitness is crucial for India. The team management are considering resting him for the second Test against New Zealand to ensure he fully recovers. A final decision is expected soon.

While Pant’s absence may further challenge India’s preparations for the second Test, the team remains hopeful that he will recover quickly and return to full form.

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