Rishabh Pant Escapes Champions Trophy Injury Scare After Freak Hit by Hardik Pandya’s Shot
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant faced a worrying moment during India’s first net session ahead of the Champions Trophy in Dubai when a powerful shot from Hardik Pandya struck him on the knee. The freak accident sent shockwaves through the Indian camp as concerns about Pant’s participation in the prestigious tournament grew.
During the net session, where Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma focused on technical aspects of their game against the challenges posed by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer had a more aggressive approach. They unleashed a flurry of big shots, sending many deliveries over the boundary during the practice session.
However, it was one of Pandya’s thunderous hits that inadvertently struck Pant. The ball struck Pant’s knee, causing an immediate reaction from the team physio, Kamlesh Jain, who rushed to provide medical assistance. Hardik Pandya, visibly concerned, immediately stepped out of the nets to check on his teammate’s well-being.
Initially, the incident raised concerns about whether Pant would be fit to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, the situation was quickly defused when Pant, donning his protective gear, returned to the nets shortly after. In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pant was seen wearing his helmet and pads, reassuring fans of his fitness.
Pant’s Role in India’s Champions Trophy Squad
Pant’s inclusion in India’s Champions Trophy squad was a topic of discussion before the accident, with the wicketkeeper’s role being debated. Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI chief selector, had confirmed last month that Pant would be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the England ODI series and the Champions Trophy.
However, despite this, there was support within the team for KL Rahul to keep wicket during the ongoing series. Both captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir preferred Rahul, citing the need for consistency in the role. Rahul, who had played a crucial role in India’s journey to the 2023 World Cup final, kept wicket during all three matches of the home series against England.
Pant’s exclusion from the starting XI, despite his talents, raised eyebrows. Former head coach Ravi Shastri called for Pant’s inclusion, especially after Rahul struggled in the first two matches of the series. Rahul’s performance improved in the final match, where he contributed with a valuable 29-ball 40 in the dead rubber, thus solidifying his spot.
At the conclusion of the series, Gambhir firmly reiterated that KL Rahul remained India’s top choice for wicketkeeper. “KL is our No. 1 wicketkeeper, and this is what I can say at the moment,” said Gambhir. “Rishabh Pant will get his chance, but at the moment, it is KL who has done well, and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters.”
Pant’s Future in the Squad
While Pant’s immediate participation in the Champions Trophy was in question following the injury scare, the fact that he resumed training and was seen in good spirits post-injury suggests that he remains a key player in India’s setup. With the competition for the wicketkeeper role heating up, it remains to be seen whether Pant will make his mark in the upcoming tournament.
Conclusion
The injury scare for Rishabh Pant, caused by Hardik Pandya’s freak shot, was short-lived, and the wicketkeeper-batter is back in training ahead of the Champions Trophy. With the team management standing firm on KL Rahul as the preferred wicketkeeper, Pant’s role in the tournament could still evolve as the competition progresses. As the tournament draws nearer, all eyes will be on whether Pant can reclaim his spot or if Rahul will continue to hold the gloves for India.