At the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Rishabh Pant was hit three times by fast bowler Tshepo Moreki during the current A match versus South Africa A, forcing him to retire injured. After being struck on the helmet, Pant was taken from the field after suffering two further injuries: one to his left elbow and another to his midsection.
The senior team is facing a scare of injuries as they prepare to play South Africa in a two-Test series that begins next Friday, November 14. Despite getting hit, the “keeper-batter” was determined to keep batting and was removed as a precaution.
However, upon the fall of the sixth wicket, Rishabh Pant came back to bat.
When he tried a reverse sweep on the pacer and failed, he was struck first, hitting his helmet. Usually he ended up floored after missing the shot since he was unsteady when he tried it. He was given the all-clear to continue after the physiotherapist performed a required concussion test. His left elbow required some pain-relieving spray and tape shortly after he was struck. The next blow came from a ball that smashed off-length back into him, causing him even more anguish. Then, on 17* off 22, he grudgingly left. The second wicketkeeper for India in Test cricket, Dhruv Jurel, came next and reached a half-century in the second session.
After sustaining a foot injury during the fourth Test match against England at the Oval, Pant had been sidelined. However, he was recently called up to the Indian team for the home series against South Africa and was given back his position as Shubman Gill’s backup. In the first four-day match against South Africa A last week, he made a century in the second innings, demonstrating his readiness for a comeback to the Test team. Additionally, he appeared at ease taking wickets. In the current game, he was dismissed for 24 runs by Moreki short-ball in the first innings and was forced to end his innings early in the second.
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