Now Reading: Rishabh Pant badly bruised, India hope for Day 4 return
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Rishabh Pant badly bruised, India hope for Day 4 return
India bowling coach Morne Morkel said Rishabh Pant is "badly bruised" after copping a blow on his shoulder while batting on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pant did…
India bowling coach Morne Morkel said Rishabh Pant is "badly bruised" after copping a blow on his shoulder while batting on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pant did not keep wickets on day three, with Dhruv Jurel taking over, and was seen in the dressing room with a strapped hand.
Morkel said Pant's movement was restricted during his warm-up on Tuesday morning and that the team will monitor him overnight, hoping he will be behind the stumps on day four. "It is important to have him there, his reading of the game is exceptional," Morkel added.
Morkel also confirmed Kuldeep Yadav was not considered for selection after contracting a viral fever in Galle. India, who have 500 runs on the board, will aim to take the remaining two Sri Lankan wickets early on day four to maintain their advantage.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Pant's shoulder bruise is a concern for India not only for this Test but with a long home season ahead, including a Border-Gavaskar series later this year. His absence behind the stumps forces India to rely on Jurel, who is inexperienced at Test level. Kuldeep's illness also thins India's spin options on a Colombo pitch that has assisted turn. India's 500-run total gives them a strong cushion, but they need two quick wickets on day four to enforce a result. The team management will have to decide by Wednesday morning whether Pant is fit to keep, and if not, whether they risk batting him lower down or replace him.
Source: rediff.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
