India endured a setback on Day 1 of the third Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s, as wicketkeeper and vice-captain Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury while fielding.
On Friday morning, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant is “still recovering” and will not return to the field at the start of Day 2. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wicket for India.
“Rishabh Pant is still recovering from the hit on his left index finger. The BCCI medical team continues to monitor his progress. Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wickets on Day 2,” BCCI posted on X.
The injury occurred during the 34th over on Thursday when Pant dived full stretch to stop a leg-side delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. While he managed to prevent the boundary, the ball hit him flush on the fingertips. He received on-field treatment and stayed on briefly, but left the field in clear discomfort the following over.
Jurel, who had been carrying drinks just minutes earlier, was thrust into action and quickly took over the gloves. His inclusion behind the stumps was allowed under the MCC’s amended rules that permit a substitute wicketkeeper in case of genuine medical injury.
What The ICC’s Current Rulebook Allows
Under the current ICC Playing Conditions (Clause 24.1.2), a substitute is allowed to field or keep wickets—with umpire approval—but cannot bat, bowl, or act as captain. Therefore, if Pant does not return to the field, Jurel will not be allowed to bat in his place.
This means India would effectively go one batter short unless Pant is fit to take the crease later in the match. Pant is India’s second-highest run-scorer in the series, with two centuries and a half-century in four innings—making his absence particularly significant.
What the ICC Is Planning Next
The ICC has proposed a major update that would allow injured players to be fully replaced during a match, not just in cases of concussion or COVID-19. However, this rule is yet to be implemented and will first be trialled in domestic first-class competitions.
According to the proposed update: “A player who suffers a serious injury on the field of play at any time after the match has started (including any pre-match warm-up period) may be replaced for the remainder of the match by a fully participating like-for-like player.”
For now, India must work within the existing framework, which allows Jurel to keep wickets but not take part in any other role.
