IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant Out of Lord’s Test After Injury? Latest BCCI Update Here

A major injury scare hit the Indian camp during Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s when in-form wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was forced off the field after suffering a painful blow to his left hand. The incident occurred in the 34th over of England’s first innings, when a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah rose sharply and struck Pant on the fingers of his left hand while he was keeping wickets.

Initially, Pant received quick medical attention from the Indian physio and attempted to carry on. Although his leg was also strapped, indicating additional physical discomfort, he returned to the field briefly. However, the pain proved too much, and Pant had to walk off midway through the second session. Dhruv Jurel was brought in as a substitute to take over the wicketkeeping duties.

The concern deepened when visuals showed Pant grimacing in pain, and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, usually calm in the dressing room, personally came down to check on him. This unusual gesture highlighted the seriousness of the situation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed that Pant had been struck on his left index finger and is currently under the observation of the medical team. Despite the injury, the BCCI stated that Pant is expected to bat, although that remains subject to medical clearance and how he feels during the remainder of the match. According to the rules, while Jurel can take over as wicketkeeper, he cannot replace Pant in the batting order. Should Pant be unable to bat, India will be left a batter short — a potentially significant setback in such a closely contested series.

Pant has been in outstanding form throughout this tour, playing a crucial role in India’s batting lineup. In the two Tests before Lord’s, he has amassed 342 runs, including two centuries and a half-century, making him the third-highest run-getter in the series and second-highest for India.

As the action continued on the field, England, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, were rocked early by Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who removed both openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, in the same over. However, the hosts regrouped strongly through a solid partnership between Joe Root and Ollie Pope, who stitched together a valuable 100-run stand. At stumps on Day 1, England were in a relatively strong position at 228 for 4, with Root unbeaten on 83 and captain Ben Stokes on 33.

The five-match ICC World Test Championship series remains evenly poised at 1-1 after India’s emphatic comeback win at Edgbaston following a defeat in the opening Test.