Rishabh Pant's Finger Injury Forces Day 2 Absence at Lord's; Jurel Continues as Substitute

Rishabh Pant was unable to take the field on the second day of play at Lord's due to discomfort from an injured left index finger. Dhruv Jurel continued to substitute for him in the ongoing Test match.

Pant sustained an injury in the second session on the opening day at Lord's. © Getty

Pant arrived at the ground on the second morning and participated in some drills with assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, but appeared to be in discomfort. He then practiced defensive strokes using only his right hand before returning to the pavilion.

The injury occurred on the first day when Pant hurt himself diving to stop the first ball of the 34th over from Jasprit Bumrah, which strayed down the leg side. After being struck on the tip of his index finger, Pant immediately grimaced and received treatment from the team physio. When pain-relief sprays proved ineffective, he requested a substitute and left the field at the end of the over. He initially received treatment near the boundary rope before heading to the dressing room.

According to a BCCI media release issued on Thursday, Pant remained under medical supervision but had not yet undergone scans, suggesting that a fracture was considered unlikely.

India hopes that their vice-captain will be able to bat. Because the injury was sustained externally on the field, he will be permitted to bat in his usual No. 5 position if he is deemed fit enough to do so. He has been a key figure in that role throughout the series, having scored two centuries and a fifty in his four innings thus far.