Why has Dhruv Jurel replaced Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper in IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test?
Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant suffered an injury behind the stumps after a Ravindra Jadeja delivery struck him straight on the knee during Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand. He hobbled off the field after the medical staff came to assess the condition, leading to Dhriv Jurel taking over the wicketkeeping responsibilities.
The unfortunate incident happened during the final delivery of the 37th over. Left-handed batter Devon Conway missed a sharp turning delivery from Jadeja. The ball missed the stumps, and the gloves narrowly, to hit Pant's right knee, more specifically on the area not protected by the pad.
The wicketkeeper went down in pain immediately, and while a few minutes off treatment including pain-relieving spray are enough to ease the situation, it was not the case this time around. Pant was clearly struggling and wincing in pain, and had no other option but to leave the ground along with the medical staff.
Jurel was summoned from the dressing room immediately, and the back-up wicket-keeper came onto the field with his gear to take Pant's place behind the stumps. The latter was spotted seated on a chair by the boundary line as the medical staff continued their course of treatment. Pant tried walking a few paces, but continued to hobble awkwardly and winced in pain.
Jurel has proved to be a reliable player with the gloves with his exploits during the home series against England earlier this year. He almost landed in hot water immediately after he came close to knocking over the bails beforehand when Ashwin castled Devon Conway in the 40th over of the innings.
Rishabh Pant had scored 20 runs in the first innings
The wicketkeeper was one of the two batters to register double figures in India's shambolic outing with the bat. The hosts were bundled out for 46 runs, their lowest total at home, with Pant being sent out at No.4.
Banking on his counter-attacking abilities, he was promoted once India fell in early trouble against the moving ball. While Pant tried his best to assert himself, he could only end up with a sluggish 20 off 49 deliveries, which included a couple of boundaries.