IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: It wasn’t long before Team India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant had to come out to bat on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Despite an injured arm, the left-handed batter clobbered a monstrous six out of the stadium as a video of the same surfaced on social media.
IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: How did Rishabh Pant get injured on Day 1 in Colombo?
The injury occurred in the 58th over of the innings bowled by right-arm pacer Lahiru Kumara. With Kumara bowling short, the southpaw stepped on to the off-side to pull the ball behind square. Instead, he missed the ball and it hit Pant on his left forearm. The physio did step out to examine him but the 28-year-old could not continue batting any further and walked off. At the time, he had faced only 15 deliveries for his 3 runs. Nevertheless, Team India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak Kotak firmly played down the injury, confirming that he will bat on Day 2.
Meanwhile, the six from the 28-year-old came in the 90th over of the innings off Kumara’s bowling as he played the hook shot to excellent effect to send the ball soaring well over the fine leg boundary. The six had also left a dent on the solar panels. Pant’s 101st six has also put him third for most maximums in Test cricket, going past Australian legend Adam Gilchrist.
IND vs SL, 2nd Test, Day 2: Team India lose Saransh Jain cheaply
With the tourists 300/5 coming on Day 2, they would have hoped not to lose a wicket early. However, Asitha Fernando made a breakthrough early by sending Saransh Jain packing for 6. Nevertheless, the visitors are still nearing 350 with only six down.
The first day was a balanced one as Fernando’s lion-hearted spell along with wickets and Devdutt Padikkal’s second ton in as many Tests proved to be the highlights. Padikkal shared a 120-run stand with Shubman Gill, who made 50. Nevertheless, India walked into stumps at 300/5 and now would be hoping to get their total above 400. Shubman Gill and co. hold a series lead, beating the Lankans by 165 runs in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium.