India bowling coach Morne Morkel on Tuesday confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has sustained a significant shoulder injury during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Pant did not take the field on day three and Dhruv Jurel handled the wicketkeeping duties in his absence.
Morkel Confirms Pain and Limited Movement
Morkel told reporters after stumps that Pant has been in considerable pain since day two. “Rishabh has sustained a shoulder injury. There was discussion about it last night because he is in quite a bit of pain,” Morkel said. “I think this morning during the warm-up his movement was limited.”
Monitoring Pant’s Condition Overnight
The former South African fast bowler said the team management will track Pant’s progress through the night. “We will monitor his condition overnight and hopefully he will be behind the wickets for us tomorrow,” Morkel added. “His presence there is important because his ability to read the game is exceptional.”
Kuldeep Yadav Missed Due to Illness
Morkel also revealed that spinner Kuldeep Yadav would have been a selection contender for this match. Yadav missed out after falling ill with viral fever before the second Test. “As per my understanding, he would definitely have been among the final selection contenders,” Morkel stated.
India Looks to Finish Sri Lanka’s Innings
India need two more wickets on day four to wrap up Sri Lanka’s first innings. Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwanta and Lahiru Kumara played gritty knocks for the hosts. Morkel noted that such resistance is part of the game. “You want to finish the job as quickly as possible, that is always the plan,” he said.
Pant Injured While Batting on Day Two
Pant hurt his shoulder during his batting innings on the second day of the match. He was later seen in the dressing room with his arm in a sling. India remain in a commanding position in the Test but Pant’s potential absence on the field would be a significant setback.
