India faced a setback on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s after Rishabh Pant injured his left hand while wicketkeeping. Dhruv Jurel stepped in as a substitute behind the stumps, but the rules prevent him from batting if Pant is ruled out for the rest of the match.
Pant’s injury could become a serious blow for Team India, especially since he has been a key performer in the ongoing Test series against England. If Pant is unable to bat, India could be one batter short as they chase a 2-1 lead in the series.
Why Jurel Can’t Replace Pant Under New ICC Rule
Many fans questioned why Jurel can’t fully replace Pant, especially after the ICC recently introduced a rule allowing like-for-like injury replacements. However, the rule only applies to domestic cricket and will come into effect in October.
In international Tests, full replacements are only allowed in cases of concussion. Since Pant’s injury is to his finger and not a head injury, Jurel is only allowed to keep wickets, not bat. This limits India’s options and could affect their overall strategy.
BCCI Gives Update on Pant’s Fitness
The BCCI confirmed Pant suffered a blow to his left index finger and is being treated by the medical team. After play ended, teammate Nitish Kumar Reddy said he had no further update on Pant’s status but expected clarity on Day 2.
For now, Team India will hope Pant recovers quickly, as his absence could impact their momentum in the remainder of the series.
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