1 week ago
Morne Morkel Hopes Bruised Rishabh Pant Returns on Day Four
Rishabh Pant hurt his shoulder while batting in India’s Test match against Sri Lanka.
The injury caused heavy bruising and made it difficult for him to move.
Because of this, he did not keep wickets on the third day.
Dhruv Jurel took his place as India’s wicketkeeper.
India’s doctors and coaches planned to watch Pant overnight.
They hoped he could return behind the stumps on the fourth day.
India had scored 503 runs before declaring their innings.
The team also wanted to take Sri Lanka’s last two wickets quickly, while Kuldeep Yadav missed selection because of a viral fever.
Rishabh Pant suffered a badly bruised shoulder while batting for India against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Pant’s restricted movement kept him from wicketkeeping throughout Day 3 of the second Test.
Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant behind the stumps and scored 115 as India declared at 503/9.
Morne Morkel said India would monitor Pant overnight and hoped he could keep wickets on Day 4.
Kuldeep Yadav was not considered for selection because he was carrying a viral fever from Galle.
- Who
- Rishabh Pant was injured; Morne Morkel gave the update, and Dhruv Jurel kept wicket in Pant’s place.
- What
- Pant sustained a badly bruised shoulder and missed wicketkeeping duties on Day 3 of the second Test.
- Where
- The second Test was being played in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- The injury occurred while Pant was batting on Day 2; his possible return was being assessed overnight for Day 4, following play on August 25, 2026.
- Why
- Pant did not keep wickets because shoulder bruising restricted his movement during warm-ups.
Key facts
- Injury
- Pant’s shoulder was described as quite badly bruised.
- Wicketkeeping on Day 3
- Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant behind the stumps.
- Day 4 outlook
- Morne Morkel hoped Pant would return after overnight monitoring.
- India’s score
- India declared at 503/9, described by Morkel as 500 runs on the board.
- Jurel’s contribution
- Dhruv Jurel scored 115, his second Test hundred.
- Kuldeep Yadav
- He was not considered for selection because of a viral fever contracted in Galle.
- India’s plan
- India wanted to take Sri Lanka’s remaining two wickets quickly and then consider enforcing the follow-on.
Quotes
Morne Morkel
India’s pace bowling coach
“Rishabh, obviously, got hit on the shoulder. I think that was discussed last night, as he is quite badly bruised. I think he was just a little bit restricted in his movement this morning when he tried to warm up.”
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“I think we will keep on monitoring him now overnight and, hopefully, he will be behind the stumps for us tomorrow. I think it’s important to have him there; his reading of the game is exceptional.”
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rediff.com
Sources
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