Rishabh Pant Misses Day Two of Third Test Due to Finger Discomfort

Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, was unable to participate at the commencement of the second day of the ongoing third Test against England at Lord’s due to discomfort in his left index finger.

Dhruv Jurel took over as substitute wicketkeeper in his absence.

Pant arrived at the ground Friday morning and engaged in some training exercises under the guidance of assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak.

However, he appeared uncomfortable and was observed practicing defensive shots using only his bottom (right) hand before returning to the pavilion.

The injury occurred on the first day of the Test when Pant hurt his finger while attempting to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the 34th over, which had deviated down the leg side.

He was hit on the tip of his left index finger, immediately grimaced in pain, and received on-field treatment from the team physio.

After pain-relief sprays failed to alleviate the discomfort, Pant requested a substitution and left the field at the end of the over. He initially received treatment near the boundary before heading to the dressing room.

According to a media release, Pant remains under medical observation but has not yet been sent for scans, suggesting a fracture is unlikely.

India hopes that their vice-captain will be fit to bat in the second innings. Because the injury occurred on the field, he would be permitted to bat at his usual No. 5 position if medically cleared.

Pant has been instrumental in the series thus far, accumulating two centuries and a fifty in only four innings.

At the time of reporting, England were batting first and had reached 274-7 in 89 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse at the crease as Day Two of the third Test continued.

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett scored 18 and 23 runs, respectively, while Ollie Pope contributed 44.

Harry Brook was dismissed for 11, while Ben Stokes, who also scored 44, was the fifth wicket to fall.

The five-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1.

Joe Root was dismissed after achieving his 37th Test century, while Chris Woakes departed for a first-ball duck.

England secured victory in the opening Test at Lord’s, while India, led by Shubman Gill, responded with a dominant 336-run victory in the second Test at Edgbaston.