India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, revealed the reason behind Rishabh Pant not taking up wicketkeeping duties towards the end of Day 2 in the first Test against New Zealand. Despite Pant’s impressive performance with the bat, he was replaced by Dhruv Jurel after being hit on the knee by a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.
Rohit emphasized the need to be cautious with Pant, who has undergone a major knee operation. The talented batsman was visibly uncomfortable while running during his innings of 99 in the second innings. Rohit mentioned the importance of giving Pant extra rest to ensure his well-being before the next Test.
Reflecting on Pant and Sarfaraz Khan’s partnership, Rohit praised their approach and maturity. He highlighted Pant’s ability to balance aggression with patience, especially in a crucial game like this. Sarfaraz, playing only his fourth Test, exhibited remarkable composure in his innings of 150.
Pant’s innings of 99 and Sarfaraz’s 150 were standout performances in India’s second innings. Despite falling just short of a century, Pant’s fearless approach and Sarfaraz’s mature innings were commendable in a tough Test match against New Zealand.
