Follow UsIn what comes as a huge concern for team India six days before the start of the two-Test series at home against South Africa, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, earlier today, retired hurt against South Africa ‘A’ in Bengaluru after copping multiple blows to the body.
Pant, who is captaining India ‘A’ in the unofficial Test series in which is his comeback series after a three-month injury layoff, had to retire hurt after facing just 22 balls.
Pant took three serious blows in his 22-ball stay - a blow to the helmet while attempting a reverse-scoop, a blow to the forearm while attempting a pull shot and then a blow to the abdomen off a delivery that jumped up off a good length. After a lengthy chat with the physios and India ‘A’ coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who was out on the field, the team India vice-captain decided to retire hurt, likely as a precaution with the South Africa series less than a week away.
The left-hander could be seen clutching his left forearm as he trudged off the field. He did not look too much in discomfort, though, and that serves as good news for the Indian side.
Pant has not had too much luck since the start of July. He first injured his finger in the Lord’s Test against England, and then later fractured his toe in the Manchester Test after being hit on the foot by a full-toss from the now-retired Chris Woakes. Now, in his first series since the injury, he’s ended up copping multiple blows to the body.
As far as form is concerned, Pant scored 17 & 90 in the first unofficial Test. He scored 24 off 20 in the first innings of this ongoing game before retiring hurt on 17* in the second innings.
At the time of writing this report, India ‘A’ are 143/5, leading by 177 runs. They are 1-0 up in the series, having registered a narrow 3-wicket win in the first game.
The first Test between India and South Africa, meanwhile, will be played from November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.