Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, injured his left elbow on Day 3 of the third Test against Australia, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday. He could manage 36 runs in the first innings, before being dismissed by Josh Hazlewood.
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During the fifth ball of the 85th over from Pat Cummins, a short ball hit Pant's left elbow, which generally remains unprotected, as the latter went from the pull. He was immediately in severe pain, as the physio rushed in. His hand was taped and he continued for a brief period before Hazlewood got rid of him.
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As India was dismissed for 244, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent out an update, stating "Rishabh Pant was hit on the left elbow while batting in the second session on Saturday. He has been taken for scans."
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Meanwhile, Australia's second innings is underway, as Wrddhiman Saha has donned the gloves as a substitute. Saha has missed out following his poor outing with the bat in the opening day-night Test in Adelaide.
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Other than Pant, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, too, has suffered an injury, as he has hurt his left thumb. It was during the fourth ball of the 98th over from Mitchell Starc that him on the thumb. As the physio checked in, he continued to play until the end of the innings, while he stayed unbeaten for 28.
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Later, BCCI sent out a fresh update, saying "Ravindra Jadeja suffered a blow to his left thumb while batting. He has been taken for scans."
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India already has had numerous injuries of late, with Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and KL Rahul already being ruled out. With Pant in contention for another player being sidelined, India would have no choice but to stick with Saha for now. Also, Jadeja's injury could see pacer T Natarajan being called in for the following Test, as there is no extra spin replacement for the former.
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Match summary: Winning the toss, Australian skipper Tim Paine elected to bat first, as Australia managed to score 338 by Day 2, with Smith (131) being the top scorer, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 462. In reply, India was bundled out for 244, with Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara scoring 50 each, while Cummins claimed a four-for, as Australia leads by 94.Brief scores: Australia 338 (Pucovski 62, Labuschagne 91, Smith 131; Jadeja 262) leads India 244 (Gill 50, Pujara 50; Cummins 429) by 94 runs.
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