Ahead of the crucial second Test against New Zealand in Pune, India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has provided an update on the fitness of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Doeschate expressed optimism that Pant will be fit to keep wickets in the upcoming match.
“He was having slight discomfort while running towards the end range of the movement of his knee while running. Fingers crossed he will be fine to keep wickets in the second Test,” said Doeschate.
Pant’s fitness has been a concern for the Indian team after he suffered a knee injury during the first Test in Bengaluru. The injury forced him to miss the final day of the match and raised doubts about his availability for the second Test.
However, the BCCI’s medical team is confident that Pant will be ready to take the field in Pune. “He was in some pain after getting hit on the right knee during New Zealand’s first innings. He was given injections. The limp while running between the wickets came from numbness in the affected region. He just has a bruise now and should be fit in a day or two,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Pant’s return to the team after a year-and-a-half absence due to a near-fatal car accident has been a welcome boost for India. His gritty comeback has earned him the support of the team management, which is carefully managing his workload.
Despite his injury, Pant played a crucial role in India’s victory in the first Test. He scored a dazzling 99 in the second innings, helping India set a challenging target for New Zealand.
With Pant expected to be fit for the second Test, India will be hoping to continue their winning ways and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
