ENG vs IND: Can Dhruv Jurel bat in the Lord's test if Rishabh Pant gets ruled out? Explained

Dhruv Jurel kept wickets for India in the absence of Rishabh Pant on day one of the Lord’s test.

The Indian Cricket Team had to deal with a massive blow on the first day of the ongoing third test against the England Cricket Team. This was because keeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. 

In the 34th over of the first innings, Pant attempted to stop the ball off Jasprit Bumrah, and in the process, he got hurt. The ball hit hard on the left index finger and he looked in immense pain. After the quick treatment, he kept for a few balls but couldn’t carry on. 

Pant walked off the field, and in his place, Dhruv Jurel kept the wickets as the substitute. It was expected that Pant might come out in the last session as it was learned that there is nothing serious but just the swelling. 

But that wasn’t the case as it was Jurel, who was there on the field till the last ball. With him being there, various speculations have been made as well about whether he will be allowed to bat if Pant gets ruled out of the game. 

Can Dhruv Jurel bat in the Lord’s test if Rishabh Pant gets ruled out? 

However, as per the rules, Jurel won’t be allowed to bat if Rishabh Pant gets ruled out of the ongoing Lord’s test. He can only keep wickets but under specific rules. According to Section 24.1.2 of the current ICC playing conditions, “a substitute shall not bowl [or bat] or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires.” 

Only the concussion substitutes and, more recently and COVID-19 replacements are permitted to bat in place of the injured players. Hence, if Pant is ruled out, then it will be a massive blow for the team, especially with the kind of form the keeper-batter is in. 

Pant has been one of the main batters for India in the series. He slammed two centuries in the first game at Headingley in Leeds. After that, he registered a brilliant half-century in the second match and helped his team level the five-match series.

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