Will Rishabh Pant play Pune Test? Assistant coach Doeschate provides injury update

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shares optimism about Rishabh Pant's fitness for the upcoming Pune Test. Pant suffered a knee injury but is showing signs of recovery.

In Short

• Rishabh Pant sustained a knee injury during the Bengaluru Test
• Jurel kept the wickets for India during Pant's absence
• India's assistant coach hopeful for Pant's return in the Pune Test

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has provided an injury update on Rishabh Pant and is hoping that the wicketkeeper batter would be good to go for the Pune Test, starting from October 24. Pant was forced to leave the field with a left knee injury on Day 2 of the Test match, Thursday, October 17. The injury occurred during New Zealand’s innings, in the 37th over, when Pant hurt his knee while trying to collect a delivery.

He immediately showed signs of severe discomfort, prompting India’s medical team to rush onto the field. Despite receiving treatment, Pant was unable to continue and had to be carried off. Substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel took his place behind the stumps for the remainder of the session. While Pant came out to bat and scored a magnificent 99, he wouldn't take the field once again in the second innings of the match as Jurel once again took over the gloves.

New Zealand would ensure that Pant's heroics with the bat ended in vain as they won the match by 8 wickets. Speaking at pre-match press conference on October 22, Ten Doeschate said that everyone in the team is doing well, with the pacers being well-rested.

Talking about Pant, the assistant coach said that the 27-year-old has been doing well and they're keeping their fingers crossed for him. Ten Doeschate ended by saying that he is hoping that Pant will keep the wickets during the match as well.

"Yeah, I think everyone's really well. There wasn't too much bowling in that first Test, so the fast bowlers are all good. Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit had touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed he'll be good to keep in the Test as well," said Ten Doeschate.

Since returning to the Test team, Pant has been prolific with the bat and behind the stumps. The wicketkeeper scored a hundred in the series against Bangladesh and followed it up with his effort in Bengaluru.