BCCI delivers a bitter Rishabh trouser blow to India on the third day of the Bengaluru Test

India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant limped off the field due to a knee injury on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Pant's injury meant that stand-in wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel was behind the stumps for India before the end of play on the second day. However, on the third day, Jurel continued to act as stand-in for Pant, who continued to be observed by the BCCI medical team. The Indian board issued a statement on Friday morning ruling out Pant for the entire match day.

“UPDATE: Mr. Rishabh Pant will not keep any wickets on Day 3. BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress,” BCCI wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

UPDATE: Mr. Rishabh Pant will not keep any wickets on Day 3.

The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.

Follow the game – https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2024

Pant was hit on the right knee in the 37th over of New Zealand's innings when a ball from Ravindra Jadeja turned sharply inwards and hit his right knee while Devon Conway took the hit.

The wicketkeeper-batter had to leave the field and captain Rohit Sharma said after the end of the game that there was swelling and the team did not want to take any chances.

He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel for the remainder of the play.

Pant had undergone multiple surgeries on his right knee after that horrific car accident in December 2022.

“Unfortunately the ball hit his kneecap directly, the same leg he had surgery on. So he has a little swelling and the muscles are quite tender at this point,” Rohit told the media on Thursday.

“It is a precautionary measure. We don't want to take any risks. “Rishabh doesn’t want to take any risk as he has undergone a serious surgery on this leg,” he said.

“So that was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully he can recover tonight and we will see him back on the field tomorrow,” Rohit added.

With PTI inputs