Yashasvi Jaiswal’s sharp catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell on Day 3 of the second Test against New Zealand brought India a crucial breakthrough but also sparked injury concerns. This comes just a day after Rishabh Pant was ruled out due to a knee injury.

In the 55th over of New Zealand’s innings, Mitchell edged a Mohammed Siraj delivery towards gully. Jaiswal, stationed at gully, took a sharp catch but was immediately seen shaking his hand and clutching his fingers.

He left the field and was replaced by Axar Patel, while Sarfaraz Khan took his place in the slip cordon. The extent of Jaiswal’s injury is yet to be determined.

Rishabh Pant won’t take the field on Day 3 Adding to India’s worries, Rishabh Pant did not take the field on Day 3 after suffering a blow to his right knee on Day 2. “Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets on Day 3. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” a statement from the Indian team management said.

Pant was struck on the knee by a Ravindra Jadeja delivery that spun sharply. He received treatment on the field but was eventually forced to leave. Captain Rohit Sharma later confirmed that Pant had experienced swelling and the team was taking a precautionary approach.

This is a particular concern as Pant has undergone multiple surgeries on the same knee following a serious car accident in December 2022.

“Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg which he has had surgery on,” Rohit said after Day 2. “So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it and the muscles are quite tender at this point of time. It is a precautionary measure. We do not want to take a risk. Rishabh does not want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg.”

India will be hoping both Pant and Jaiswal can recover quickly, as their absence will be a significant blow to the team’s chances in the remainder of the Test series.