Rishabh Pant Injured Ahead Of England Tests? Vice-Captain Gets Hit During Nets
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Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant had a minor injury scare during a net session before the five-Test series against England.
Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant suffered a minor injury scare during a net session ahead of the five-Test series against England.
According to a RevSportz report, the left-hander was hit on his dominant hand while batting after a long hit, prompting a quick check and an ice pack from the team doctor. Although his net session reportedly ended there, he didn't seem to be significantly injured, with no concerns afterwards.
India would hope that Pant remains fit ahead of the crucial five-Test series. He's one of the most important players in the format for the country and that shows in his promotion to the role of deputy captain, with the BCCI selectors probably seeing him as a big voice in the Shubman Gill-led leadership group.
His batting would be crucial, too. In a mostly inexperienced, young side, he comes with a ton of good numbers to show in England. He has played nine Tests here (the most after India and Australia), scoring 556 runs at an average of 32.71, with two centuries and two half-centuries.
His agression in the middle-order and ability to rejuvenate things after top-order collapses give India a much-needed spine. Moreover, against an English team that likes to play in the front-footed BazBall mode, he'll give India a foil, especially against spinners and medium-pace bowling all-rounders.
If in the unlikely scenario Pant has to miss any matches, India have a reliable option ready in Dhruv Jurel, who has hit three consecutive fifties against England Lions for India 'A' in the ongoing unofficial Tests. Jurel has played four Tests for India — against the English at home — scoring 202 runs at 40.40.
The five-Test series will commence on June 20th in Leeds. It'll mark the start of the new World Test Championship cycle. It'll also kick off Gill's era as the fifth youngest captain in Indian Test history, with him going head-to-head against Ben Stokes, one of the greatest in English history.
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