Day 1 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s took an unexpected turn when Indian vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant walked off the field with a finger injury sustained while attempting a diving stop off Jasprit Bumrah. In his absence, young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel took over the gloves – leading many fans to wonder: Is this allowed, and can Jurel also bat for India?Live Score: India vs England, 3rd TestWhy is Jurel keeping? Is it allowed?Yes, Dhruv Jurel is legally allowed to keep wickets in place of Pant – but under specific rules. According to Section 24.1.2 of the current ICC playing conditions, “a substitute shall not bowl [or bat] or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires.” Since 2017, the MCC has allowed substitute wicketkeepers in cases of genuine injury or illness, provided the on-field umpires approve it.In this case, Jurel was permitted to take over wicketkeeping duties once Pant was deemed unfit to continue, following medical treatment after taking a blow to the fingertips in the 34th over.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Can Jurel bat for Pant?No. As per current international cricket rules, standard substitutes are not allowed to bat or bowl. Only concussion substitutes and, more recently, COVID-19 replacements are permitted to do so. While the ICC has proposed a six-month trial for allowing full substitutes in domestic First-Class cricket (starting October 2025), this is not yet applicable to international Tests.What happens if Pant is ruled out?If Pant is unable to return to bat, India will be a player short in the batting lineup – a significant blow given his stellar form in the series (two centuries and a half-century). Jurel, though capable, cannot fill in with the bat under current rules.
