[WATCH]: Rishabh Pant sweats in net session with injured finger during ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Going into India’s first innings of batting, the biggest speculation among the fans is whether Rishabh Pant could bat if required for the visitors during the third Test of the five-match series at Lord’s. The wicket-keeper batter was practicing in the nets outside the ground as the tourists bundled out the Ben Stokes-led side for 387, from a point where they looked good to cross the 400-run mark comfortably.

Rishabh Pant injured his finger during the second session of the opening day at Lord's. One of the balls zipped through the batter, and because of the famous wobble movement off the seam, the ball didn’t come nicely into the gloves of the Dehradun-born. He looked in immense pain straightaway in the middle.

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The physio rushed in with the magic spray, but even after multiple ways of strapping the finger, Pant couldn’t find the ease. He couldn’t even wear his wicket-keeping gloves. The first ball after the incident was smashed by the batter as the veteran took the ball gently into his gloves. But the pain was yet to vanish from the left index finger.

Watch: Rishabh Pant sweats in practice session with injured finger during ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Just after the completion of the over, he left the field, as Dhruv Jurel replaced him in that glove work. However, it’s not a head injury, and that’s why the umpires won’t allow a substitute with the bat. Rishabh, the left-handed batter, is a very vital member of the middle order, having the unique skills of putting any opposition under pressure with his aggressive shots.

During the second day, he was seen to be sweating in the nets, and unfortunately, he didn’t look comfortable at all. The video shows that even though he drills the first half-volley, once the ball is short, Pant takes his hands off the bat. It was also tough for him to play the yorker right.

The 27-year-old has been in terrific touch in this series with successive centuries during the first game at Leeds. Even when there was a need to smash a quick-fire half-century in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, Pant raised his bar and stood with an impressive performance. It will be essential for the Blue Brigade to have their ace batter in the lineup.