Injury scare was no hurdle for Rishabh Pant as the southpaw nearly registered his seventh Test century in IND vs NZ 1st Test. After staying off the field on Day 3 due to swelling in his right knee, the keeper-batter came out all guns blazing on Day 4, helping India narrow down on New Zealand’s lead and eventually helping the hosts gain the upper hand. However, Pant missed his century by just one run in an very unfortunate fashion.
Rishabh Pant misses out on ton by one run in IND vs NZ 1st Test
Rishabh Pant was at his aggressive best as he took on the Kiwi bowlers in the 2nd innings of the game in Bengaluru. Having walked out to bat with Sarfaraz at the start of Day 4, Pant stitched together a 100+ run partnership with the youngster en route to his century. He was on 99 when William O’Rourke cleaned him up after the batter dragged the ball on to his stumps, missing his century in an agonizing fashion. He has been dismissed seven times while he has been in the 90s now.
The reaction of his teammates explained the mood, as a dejected KL Rahul went down on his haunches at the non-strikers end. However, Pant did get a standing ovation from the team and the fans as he walked back to the pavilion.
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Rishabh Pant was forced to walk off the field on Day 2 after he was hit on the side of his right knee off a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja. While the physios attended to him immediately, he eventually walked off the field with the help of the support staff. Later that day, skipper Rohit Sharma provided an update on Pant, revealing that he had developed a swelling in his right knee, the one which he underwent a surgery on, and said that he would be monitored. He justified giving Pant some time off by noting that the muscles in his right knee were tender and needed time to recover.
On Day 3, BCCI provided an update, stating that Rishabh Pant would not take the field on that day. Instead, Dhruv Jurel took over the gloves for the remainder of the innings. However, Pant brushed aside the injury scare as he walked out to bat on Day 4, much to the delight of India cricket team and the fans.
