IND vs NZ 2024: Ryan Ten Doeschate provides update on Rishabh Pant's injury status ahead of second Test

Rishabh Pant didn't keep wickets for a considerable part of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last week after suffering a left knee injury on Day 2. However, India's assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate is hopeful that the 26-year-old will be able to recover in time for the second Test, which begins on Thursday, October 24, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

The injury occurred during New Zealand’s innings, in the 37th over, when Pant hurt his knee in his attempt to collect a delivery. He immediately showed signs of extreme discomfort, prompting India’s medical team to scamper onto the field to assess his condition. Despite receiving treatment, Pant was unable to continue and had to be carried off the field.

India's backup wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel donned the gloves for the remainder of the session. Pant came out to bat and scored an exhilarating 99 in India's second innings. However, he refrained from joining his teammates during the second innings of the match as Jurel once again took over the wicketkeeping duties. The tourists won by eight wickets as they chased down a 107-run target in just 27.4 overs on Day 5.

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Speaking at a pre-match press conference on October 22, Ten Doeschate said that everyone in the team is doing well, with the pacers being well-rested. He also mentioned that Pant has been recovering well and that he could also keep wickets in Pune.

"Yeah, I think everyone's really well. There wasn't too much bowling in that first Test, so the fast bowlers are all good. Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit had touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed he'll be good to keep in the Test as well," said Doeschate.

Rishabh Pant's numbers since returning to Test cricket last month

For the unversed, Rishabh Pant suffered a near-fatal accident in December 2022 and he subsequently missed competitive cricket for 14 months. He made his comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. After some impressive performances in the franchise league, he returned to the national team during the T20 World Cup 2024 and played some significant knocks as India won the tournament for the second time.

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Pant's much-awaited Test comeback came last month when he played in the two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh. He scored a century in his comeback Test in Chennai. In six innings this year, he has amassed 280 runs at an average of 56. Indian fans will hope that he recovers before the second Test as the hosts need a win to keep the series alive.