India captain Shubman Gill has given a positive update on Rishabh Pant’s fitness after the wicketkeeper-batter picked up a minor injury during the third Test against England at Lord’s. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gill confirmed that Rishabh Pant went for scans but there is nothing serious.
Rishabh Pant injured his index finger on his left hand while attempting to collect a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah during the 34th over of England’s first innings. At first, he was given medical attention on the field but when that didn’t help, he was taken off the field. Dhruv Jurel replaced him as wicketkeeper for the rest of the match.
Rishabh Pant’s Run out a Turning point for India in the match
India’s narrow 22-run loss to England in the Lord’s Test left fans heartbroken, and according to cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, one moment in particular tilted the game decisively in England’s favour — the run-out of India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, the former India skipper reflected on the turning point of the match, highlighting how Rishabh Pant’s dismissal on Day 3 shifted the momentum at a crucial juncture.
Rishabh Pant was looking in sublime touch, batting through pain from a finger injury and counterattacking the English bowlers with controlled aggression. His 141-run partnership with KL Rahul had lifted India from a precarious position to a place of dominance, and Gavaskar noted how the duo’s contrasting styles — Rahul’s calm composure and Pant’s explosive flair — were perfectly complementing each other.
India, after bowling England out for 387 in their first innings, had seen their top order crumble despite good form in the series up to that point. Rahul and Rishabh Pant stepped in to steady the ship. Rahul went on to notch up a patient century, while Rishabh Pant’s stroke-filled 74 seemed destined to be the innings that turned the game India’s way — until a mix-up between the wickets saw him run out by England captain Ben Stokes just before lunch on Day 3.
Gavaskar pointed out how that run-out not only broke the rhythm of India’s innings but also weighed heavily on the team’s momentum. KL Rahul fell shortly after reaching his century, and suddenly, two set batters were gone in quick succession, forcing new players to start afresh under pressure.
Despite the setback, India did manage to level the scores with England in the first innings. The bowlers then came to the fore once more, bundling England out for just 192 in their second innings — a clinical performance that kept India in the hunt.
The final innings was always going to be tense, and it turned out to be a gripping contest. Once again, India’s top order faltered, and the burden of the chase fell on the lower order. Ravindra Jadeja’s determined 61 offered hope, and he found brave support in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who battled hard to inch India closer to the target.But in the end, it wasn’t enough.
India fell agonisingly short by 22 runs — a margin so slim that every single moment, especially Pant’s dismissal, became magnified in hindsight. However Indian skipper Shubman Gill admitted this crucial turning point alongside providing an update on Rishabh Pant’s availibility in the 4th Test at Manchester.
Shubman Gill provides an Update on Rishabh Pant’s injury
India captain Shubman Gill provided an update on his vice captain Rishabh Pant’s injury which he sustained while keeping during the opening day of the Lord’s Test, something that kept him away from wicketkeeping duties. With pant unable to keep, Dhruv Jurel had donned the wicketkeeper’s for the remainder of the match.
“Rishabh went for scans. There is no major injury so he should be fine for fourth Test in Manchester,” Gill said in the post-match press conference. The 4th Test is scheduled to take place on July 23-27.
Rishabh Pant was grimacing in pain after putting in a dive to stop a delivery on his left, which Jasprit Bumrah had sprayed down the leg side in the 34th over of the innings during the second session. Rishabh Pant had managed to get his hands on the ball but could not stop it entirely as England batters Joe Root and Ollie Pope scampered for a couple.
The play was then held up for a while as Rishabh Pant received treatment on his hand from the Indian support staff, but the wicketkeeper kept shrugging his hands when the action resumed. Eventually, Pant left the field after the end of Bumrah’s over.
“Team India vice-captain Rishabh Pant got hit on his left index finger. He is receiving treatment at the moment and under the supervision of the medical team. Dhruv Jurel is currently keeping wickets in Rishabh’s absence,” the BCCI had said.
The fourth Test between India and England will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from 23 to 27 July. India are trailing 2-1 in the five-match series after their narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s. Rishabh Pant’s availability will be a big boost for the visitors as they look to level the series.
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