India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is 'under the supervision' after he walked off the field during the second session's play on Day 1 of the third Test against England after suffering a blow to his left index finger, the BCCI said on Thursday.
'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 said.
The ever-animated wicketkeeper was his chirpy, energetic self behind the stumps on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s, until a cruel twist forced him off the field with a finger injury that has left Team India and fans holding their breath.
The 27-year-old assisted in making early inroads into England’s batting line-up, grabbing two sharp catches off Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling to send openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley packing in the first session.
In doing so, Pant etched his name in the record books, surpassing Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal to register the most catches by an Asian wicketkeeper in Tests on English soil -- 40 and counting.
But joy quickly turned to concern.
Midway through the second session, Pant was seen in discomfort after seemingly hurting his finger during a take.
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. 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 Indian physio rushed onto the field for a quick assessment. Moments later, Pant trudged off, grimacing, leaving the gloves to Dhruv Jurel.
Commentators speculated the injury might be a fracture, though the extent of the damage remains unconfirmed.
The BCCI, as of now, has not released an official update on Pant’s condition.
With India already thin on experience behind the stumps and in the middle of a hard-fought series, Pant’s absence, even if temporary, could just tilt the balance in England’s favour, giving them a mental edge.
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