India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided a massive update on Rishabh Pant after the wicketkeeper-batter was retired hurt on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
The incident took place on the final session of the day, when Pant attempted to pull a short ball from Lahiru Kumara behind the square.
Known for his unorthodox kind of approach with the bat, Pant, however, couldn’t connect and the ball crashed onto his left arm. He was seen grimacing in pain after copping the blow and was immediately attended by the Indian team physiotherapist.
An ice pack was applied on Pant’s hand before taping it up, but soon it was taken off as the wicketkeeper-batter was visibly in pain. Eventually, Pant walked off after playing 15 balls for his three runs in the 58th over. Ravindra Jadeja came into the middle and joined Devdutt Padikkal.
Following the day’s play, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was asked about an update on Pant. To which Kotak responded in positive, stating that the 28-year-old will be fit enough to bat on the second day. “He should be fine to bat tomorrow,” Kotak told the reporters in Colombo on Sunday.
India in driver’s seat at Day 1 stumps
Meanwhile, India rode on a fine hundred from Devdutt Padikkal and a composed half-century from skipper Shubman Gill to overcome early setbacks and take control of the game at stumps on the first day.
After opting to bat first, India were reduced to 66/2 in the morning session, but Padikkal and Gill stitched together a crucial 120-run partnership to steady the innings. Padikkal, who scored 167 in the first Test, went on to score 117 before India finished the day at 300/5 after 85 overs.
The left-handed Padikkal was dropped at point by Sonal Dinusha off spinner Prabath Jayasuriya before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva spilled another opportunity at slip two overs later. Dhruv Jurel was batting on seven with debutant Saransh Jain on four at stumps.
Gill had arrived under scrutiny after scoring only 24 runs in the first Test, but responded with a measured 50. Fernando removed Gill, who edged to Niroshan Dickwella. The wicketkeeper initially spilled the chance but recovered quickly to complete the catch at the second attempt.
Padikkal’s innings, featuring 12 boundaries, finally ended when Keshara Nuwantha beat his tentative push and knocked back the off stump. By then, however, the opener had laid a solid platform for India. Ravindra Jadeja made 43 before Fernando bowled him after the batter shouldered arms to an incoming delivery in the final over of the day.