Who Steps Up as Wicketkeeper After Pant's Injury in the 3rd Test?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dhruv Jurel steps in as wicketkeeper after Rishabh Pant's injury.
- Pant suffered a left finger injury while playing against England.
- Jurel had prior experience as wicketkeeper in Tests.
- Awaiting an official update on Pant's condition.
- Pant has performed excellently in the series with two centuries.
London, July 10 (NationPress) Dhruv Jurel has taken charge as the Indian wicketkeeper following Rishabh Pant's departure from the field due to an injury to his left finger during the first day of the third Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the 34th over when Pant was struck on the fingertips of his left hand while trying to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah aimed at Ollie Pope on the leg side. After diving to intercept the ball, Pant was seen grimacing in pain as he received treatment from physio Kamlesh Jain, who heavily wrapped his fingers.
Despite staying on as wicketkeeper for the remainder of the over, broadcast footage revealed Jurel performing wicketkeeping drills. Once the over concluded, with Root and Pope nearing half-centuries in their partnership, Pant left the field for further medical attention, allowing Jurel to don the wicketkeeping gloves.
Jurel had previously served as India’s wicketkeeper in three Tests during the home series against England in 2024 and had also kept wickets for India A against the England Lions prior to the five-match Test series. He had filled in for Pant earlier in October 2024 when Pant suffered a knee injury during a Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
After receiving treatment for severe pain in his left hand, Pant exited to the dressing room with Jain. Visuals showed head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak rising from their seats in the dressing room balcony to check on the wicketkeeper-batter.
While commentators speculated on a possible fracture, an official update regarding Pant's injury is awaited at the time of writing. As India’s vice-captain on this tour, Pant has accumulated 342 runs in two Test matches at an impressive average of 85.50, including two centuries in the series opener at Headingley.