'Rishabh Pant's Recovery on Track' India Hopeful for Pant's Return in 2nd Test

Indian assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has come up with breaking news on Rishabh Pant's recovery from the knee injury and his availability in the IND vs NZ 2nd Test.

The hosts endured an 8-wicket loss to New Zealand in the 1st Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, October 20. With this dominant win, the Kiwis secured their first Test victory on Indian soil in 36 years, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Rishabh Pant, the left-handed wicket-keeper batter, pulled an injury in the first test against New Zealand. While keeping wickets, he re-injured the same knee that had undergone surgery after a devastating car accident in December 2022. The near-fatal crash and the resulting injuries forced Pant out of the game for over a year and a half, leaving him sidelined during a critical phase of his career.

Despite the long road to recovery, Pant?s gritty return has been supported by the team management, who are carefully managing his workload to ensure he stays fit. His perseverance through rehabilitation and his determined comeback have been a source of inspiration, as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.

Pant injured his knee while keeping wickets on Day 2 of the Test match and had to leave the field. He was unable to keep wickets on Day 3 but returned to bat for India in their second innings. During New Zealand's second innings on Days 4 and 5, Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant again behind the stumps.

Pant played a superb knock of 99 runs in India's second innings, leading a strong fightback after their disastrous first innings, where they were bowled out for just 46 runs. He teamed up with Sarfaraz Khan, who hit his first-ever Test century, to help India recover and put up a much better total of 462 in the second innings.

Pant's fitness remains a key concern as the hosts aim to level the three-match series in the upcoming Test starting Thursday in Pune. Speaking about his recovery, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reassured reporters, saying, "Rishabh's pretty good."

"He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed he'll be good to keep in this Test as well," he added.

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SOURCE: CRICit BY Hindustan Times