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India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant did not take the field on the second day of the third Test against England at Lord’s due to discomfort in his left index finger.
Pant, who injured his finger during Day 1 while keeping wickets, was replaced behind the stumps by Dhruv Jurel. The injury occurred in the 34th over when he dived to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah that had drifted down the leg side. The ball struck the tip of Pant’s left index finger, causing immediate pain. He was treated on the field by the team physio before walking off at the end of the over.
On Friday morning, Pant arrived at the ground and attempted light training under the guidance of assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak. He tried practising with only his bottom (right) hand and was clearly in discomfort before returning to the pavilion.
A BCCI media release confirmed that Pant remains under medical supervision but has not been sent for scans yet, suggesting a fracture is unlikely. As the injury occurred during fielding, Pant would be allowed to bat at his regular No.5 position in the second innings if medically cleared.
Pant has been one of India’s standout performers in the series so far, scoring two centuries and a fifty in four innings. His absence on Day 2 will be a concern for India, especially with the series currently tied 1-1.
England are 335-7 in 101.2 overs in their first innings. Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse are at the crease. Joe Root earlier scored his 37th Test century before being dismissed, while Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope both contributed 44 runs. Chris Woakes was dismissed for a golden duck.
England won the first Test at Lord’s, while India bounced back with a commanding 336-run win in the second match at Edgbaston. The five-match series remains evenly poised as the third Test continues at the iconic venue.
