Why has Rishabh Pant not taken field on Day 3 of SL vs IND Colombo Test? Know here

Rishabh Pant did not take the field on Day 3 of the SL vs IND second Test in Colombo. India entered Day 3 in a commanding position after posting a mammoth first-innings total of 503/9 before declaring this innings in the final moments of Day 2. Devdutt Padikkal scored his second century of the series, and Dhruv Jurel produced a superb unbeaten century, taking India to the massive total. Captain Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal played supporting roles. Rishabh Pant’s presence had been one of the major talking points of this Test match. He sustained a blow to his wrist while facing a delivery from Lahiru Kumara on Day 1 and retired hurt. Despite returning to bat on Day 2, he scored 63 off 89 balls, including two sixes. However, when India took the field on Day 2, Pant was noticeably absent from his wicket-keeping duties, and Dhruv Jurel stepped in. This absence raised questions about whether his earlier injury had worsened or if the Indian management made a precautionary decision. At the end of Day 2, Dhruv Jurel confirmed Pant is relieved of wicket-keeping duties due to both wrist and right shoulder pain. Pant was hit on the wrist while attempting a pull shot and initially received treatment before returning to bat. However, discomfort in his right shoulder after his innings led Pant to decide not to take the field on Day 3. The Indian management aims to allow Pant maximum flexibility, avoiding unnecessary strain that might worsen his injury. Pant remains crucial to the Indian batting lineup, and with the second innings yet to be played in a rain-hit fixture, he is one of the most valuable batters. Rishabh Pant holds the record for the most overseas centuries for India (6), while Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the record for the most dismissals by an Indian wicket-keeper in Test cricket, with 294 dismissals.