Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant was receiving throwdowns on Friday, providing a significant boost to the team’s hopes of saving the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, despite conceding a massive 356-run lead.
During the Tea break on Day 3, Pant walked out wearing a single pad and faced throw-downs under the watchful eye of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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The Bengaluru crowd erupted in loud cheers when the star keeper Pant walked out in his training kit to face throw-downs.
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Pant did not keep wickets on Friday after taking a blow to his knee on Day 2. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept the wickets. As per the rules, a substitute wicketkeeper cannot bat for the team.
However, Pant will be allowed to bat without needing to serve any penalty time.
India would greatly benefit from having Pant in the second innings, considering his past heroics. Pant played a crucial role in India’s heroic draw in the Sydney Test of 2021 and the momentous victory in the Gabba Test.
India conceded a 356-run lead in the first innings to New Zealand after getting bowled out for 46, their lowest Test total at home.
