Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s saw India bowl with tight lines. Despite losing the toss, the Indian bowlers managed to keep the England batters in check and will hope to take the remaining five wickets quickly. However, a major concern also emerged for Team India in the form of a potential injury blow to one of their most influential players.
Rishabh Pant, who has been in excellent touch with the bat this series, injured his left index finger while collecting a wayward delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the second session. Pant immediately appeared to be in discomfort and had to call for medical attention.
Although he continued briefly with heavy strapping, he eventually walked off the field. With wicketkeeping duties handed over to Dhruv Jurel for the remainder of the day, questions began to swirl not just about Pant’s availability but about who would bat in his place if he was ruled out for the match.
Can Dhruv Jurel bat in Pant’s absence?
Jurel took over behind the stumps seamlessly, but he cannot bat in this Test match, even if Pant doesn’t return. According to ICC’s current Test playing conditions, a substitute can replace a player only in the event of a concussion. Since Pant’s injury is to his hand and not head-related, Jurel is only a fielding substitute, eligible to keep wickets but not to bat.
There has been confusion among fans owing to the ICC’s recent announcement regarding permanent injury substitutions. But that rule that allows a “fully participating like-for-like player” in case of a serious injury is only applicable to domestic cricket and will only come into effect from October. It does not yet apply to international Test matches.
India’s hopes of taking a 2-1 lead in the series could take a serious hit if Pant is deemed unfit to bat. After all, he is one of India’s best red-ball batters in recent years. Having said that, thanks to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, India bat till number eight. With no official update yet beyond the BCCI’s statement confirming a blow to the index finger, India will be anxiously awaiting further word before Day 2 begins.
