India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field during the third Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday after sustaining a finger injury while keeping wickets. The injury occurred in the second session when a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah struck Pant’s left hand, prompting his replacement by substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.The incident took place in the 34th over as Pant dived to stop a Bumrah delivery bowled down the leg side to Ollie Pope. Pant grimaced in pain while receiving treatment from physio Kamlesh Jain and had his fingers heavily taped. Though he remained on the field for the remainder of the over, Pant left for further medical attention immediately afterward.Jurel has previously kept wickets in three Tests against England during the 2024 home series and in India A’s matches against England Lions prior to the current five-match series.
He also deputised for Pant when the latter sustained a knee injury during the Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024.
Later, footage showed head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak rising from their seats in the dressing room balcony to check on Pant as he was escorted inside by Jain. So far on this tour, Pant has scored 342 runs in two matches at an average of 85.50, including two centuries in the series opener at Headingley.
