Rishabh Pant Won’t Keep Wickets on Day 3 of 1st Test Against New Zealand

  Rishabh Pant will t keep wickets for India on third day of opening Test against New Zealand after copping a blow to his knee during second day’s play here.

Indian team manment informed shortly before resumption of play on Friday that Pant will remain away from action.

“Mr Rishabh Pant will t keep wickets on Day 3. BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” statement said.

Pant was hit on his right knee in 37th over of New Zealand’s innings when a delivery from Ravindra Jeja spun sharply inwards and hit his right knee with Devon Conway at strike.

wicketkeeper-batter h to leave field and captain Rohit Sharma informed after end of play that re was some swelling and team did t want to take any risks.

He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel for remainder of play.

Pant h undergone multiple surgeries on right knee after that horrific car accident in December 2022.

"Unfortunately, ball hit straight on his knee cap, same leg which he has done a surgery. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it and muscles are quite tender at this point of time," Rohit told media on Thursday.

“It is a precautionary measure. We do t want to take a risk. Rishabh does t want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg," he said.

"So, that was reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, tonight he can recover and we will see him back on field tomorrow," ded Rohit.