Will Rishabh Pant come out to bat after injury in the second SL vs IND Test?

Rishabh Pant emerged as India’s greatest six hitter in the history of Test cricket.

India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo took an unexpected turn on Sunday after Rishabh Pant was struck on his wrist by a nasty bouncer. Pant walked in right after the captain, Shubman Gill, was dismissed and was likely handed the role to keep the scoreboard going at that stage. 

However, the player who played a crucial role in India‘s previous 165-run victory in Galle ended a short stay at the crease when he injured his wrist while looking to force a short delivery through the leg side. He looked in immediate discomfort and was taken off the ground. Indian fans have been waiting for an update on India’s return to the crease. 

Rishabh Pant left the ground after a painful blow in second SL vs IND Test

The incident occurred in the 58th over of the game, bowled by Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara. Kumara pitched it short, looking to surprise Pant, who looked to heave it over the square-leg region. Having misjudged it completely, the ball went on to strike his left wrist. 

The Indian physio rushed in, and the medical team applied an ice pack to Pant’s wounds before assessing the injury. Rishabh Pant was subsequently taped up, but the discomfort persisted, which forced the batter to leave the field. He retired hurt, and Ravindra Jadeja replaced him on the field. 

Will Rishabh Pant return to bat in the SL vs IND 2nd Test? 

Yes, Rishabh Pant can legally return to bat if he recovers sufficiently. Having retired hurt is different from being dismissed; a batter who leaves the field due to an injury can resume his innings once he is fit. 

However, Dhruv Jurel’s presence in the team clearly indicates that Jurel will be keeping the wickets and Pant will not be seen donning the gloves in this match if his injury is serious. Whether Pant comes out to bat will be a massive question, as no such official update has been provided by the BCCI. He was seen sitting in the dugout, which suggested that injury is not serious, and he might return to bat.

However, Pant’s inclusion is crucial to the Indian team, especially for the long run, as India are destined to play in a Test series against New Zealand and then Australia in the next six months. 

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