Rishabh Pant's Finger Injury Forces Him to Sit Out Day 2 at Lord's; Jurel Continues as Substitute

Rishabh Pant was unable to take the field for the start of the second day of play at Lord's due to discomfort in his left index finger. Dhruv Jurel continued to act as his substitute.

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 engaged in drills with assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, but appeared to be in pain. 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 his finger diving to stop a ball from Jasprit Bumrah. The incident happened on the first ball of the 34th over. After initial treatment with pain-relief sprays proved ineffective, Pant requested a substitute and left the field.

A press release from the BCCI on Thursday stated that Pant remained under medical observation. As of the time of the release, he had not undergone any scans, suggesting that a fracture was unlikely.

India remains hopeful that their vice-captain will be available to bat. Given that the injury was sustained on the field, Pant will be permitted to bat in his usual No. 5 position if he is deemed fit enough. He has been a crucial player in that role throughout the series, having scored two centuries and one half-century in four innings.