Can Rishabh Pant play in the 1st IND vs NZ Test? Rohit Sharma updates

Day two of the first India vs New Zealand Test fared utterly disappointing for India. With the opening day washed out, the proceedings started on Thursday as India won the toss at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision to bat first by skipper Rohit Sharma proved sabotaging for the hosts who lost three wickets in the first session of the match. Virat Kohli sustained a nine-ball duck against William O'Rourke as the skipper departed at a paltry 2 off 16 with former New Zealand captain Tim Southee scalping the timber. To make matters worse, India faced an injury scare on the day as wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant endured a blow on his knee.

Rohit Sharma updates about the injury of Rishabh Pant

India faced a significant setback on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. With nothing going in favour of the hosts, Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant had to walk off the ground after an injury during the second session. Pant sustained the injury in the 37th over while attempting to gather a sharply turning delivery from Ravindra Jadeja, who was bowling from over the wicket. The ball struck Pant directly on his knee, causing immediate pain. The team's physio was called onto the field, and Pant's discomfort was visible as he grimaced in pain during the medical attention. After a brief stoppage, he was assisted off the field by the physio.

This injury scare comes at a crucial time, as Pant is only playing his third Test since making his comeback to the red-ball format following a horrific car accident in December 2022. The crash had severely injured his right knee, which was reportedly bent at a nearly 90-degree angle. His road to recovery saw him return to competitive cricket during the 2024 IPL, followed by appearances in the T20 World Cup and India’s Test series against Bangladesh, where he made a strong impression with a century. Indian skipper updated on Pant's condition after the conclusion of the day where he stated that the team remains positive for Pant's comeback in the match.

"He has got a swelling on his knee. It's the same knee on which he got the surgery. We don't want to take risk. Hopefully he'll be back in this match," Rohit said.

Earlier in the day, India endured a disastrous batting collapse, being bowled out for just 46 runs, their lowest Test score at home. New Zealand's Matt Henry wreaked havoc, claiming five wickets, while William O'Rourke took four. Rishabh Pant, with a score of 20, was the top scorer in India’s innings, which lasted only 31.2 overs.

New Zealand capitalized on India’s poor start, ending the day at 180/3 after 50 overs, giving them a 134-run lead. Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway got the visitors off to a solid start, with Latham departing for 15 off 49 balls. Conway then formed a crucial partnership with Will Young (33), before Conway fell just shy of a century, scoring 91 off 105 deliveries, dismissed by R Ashwin. At stumps, Rachin Ravindra (22*) and Daryl Mitchell (14*) were still at the crease for New Zealand, and they will look to build on their advantage when play resumes on Day 3.