IND vs NZ 1st Test: Will Rishabh Pant Bat in 2nd Innings After Not Keeping Wickets on Day 3?

Rishabh Pant left wicketkeeping responsibilities to substitute Dhruv Jurel after an injury during the second day of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The wicketkeeper-batter continued to sit out on day 3 as well as BCCI issued an update on Friday (October 18) stating, Pant will not keep wickets as the medical team monitors his progress.

"Mr Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets on Day 3. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," BCCI in the update on X (previously Twitter) wrote just before the day three's play in rain-hit Bengaluru Test.

Pant's injury will be a huge concern for the Indian team management and the fans will hope that it is nothing serious as India will need his batting in the second innings having been bowled out for 46 in the first. Will he walk out to bat? Here we take a look:

Will Rishabh Pant bat in the second innings of IND vs NZ 1st Test?

As it stands, the BCCI update just states that the medical team is monitoring his progress. With the possibility of India batting on day 3, Pant may bat only if required going by the statement made by skipper Rohit Sharma after day 2's play.

"Unfortunately, the knee. The ball went and hit straight on his knee cap, the leg which he had surgery on. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it. The muscles are bit tender at this point of time. It's a precautionary measure," Rohit had said on Thursday (October 17) at the post day's press conference.

"We don't want to take any risks. Rishabh did not want to take a risk. He has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg. That was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, tonight he can recover and we will see him back on the field tomorrow," he added.

Pant did not take field on day 3. But, there is every chance for Pant to return if required to bat. He in fact was seen practising during the tea break when India had started their second innings.