India’s wicket keeper-batter Rishabh Pant got injured during the first Test against New Zealand. On Day 2, while keeping wickets, he was hit on the kneecap of the same leg that had undergone surgery after his car accident. Taking him off the field was a precaution to avoid further injury.
Pant was struck on his right knee during the 37th over, forcing him to leave the field. A delivery from Ravindra Jadeja turned, stayed a bit low, and hit Pant on the leg where he had previously undergone surgery. Dhruv Jurel came in as his replacement.
In 2018, Test cricket rules were changed. The new rule allows a substitute player to come in if the wicket keeper gets injured during a match. This is why Dhruv Jurel is keeping wickets for Pant. However, the substitute cannot bowl or captain the team; he can only keep wickets. If Pant isn’t fit by India’s second innings, Jurel won’t be allowed to bat in Pant’s place.
After the second day of the India vs New Zealand match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that Pant got injured on the same leg where he had undergone surgery before.
“Yeah, unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his kneecap—the same leg on which he had surgery. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it,” he said.
He added, “The muscles are tender at this point, so it’s a precautionary measure. You know, he has gone through a major surgery on that leg. That’s why he went inside. Hopefully, he can recover soon.”
