Rishabh Pant has “no injury concerns” and is well enough to take wickets in the second Test match against New Zealand, which starts on Thursday, according to India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. During the first Test match in Bengaluru, which India lost by eight wickets, Pant suffered a knee injury. Pant made a significant contribution despite the injury, entering the game to bat in the second inning and putting up a solid showing.

Dhruv Jurel took Pant’s position behind the stumps in the first inning, but Pant persevered by going back to bat and displaying his typical aggressive approach. Pant demonstrated his preparedness for the next match by hitting the nets for preparation and participating in wicket-keeping exercises with Gambhir before the second Test.

For India to recover in the series after the first Test defeat, Pant’s fitness and form return will be essential.

When asked on Wednesday whether the wicketkeeper-batter relationship was going well, Gambhir said, “Definitely.”

“I believe he will continue to take wickets tomorrow.” “There aren’t any additional fitness concerns,” he continued.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who previously said that team management didn’t want to take any chances with Pant, would be pleased to hear this.

Rohit had said, “We all know what he went through because he (Rishabh Pant) had a major operation on his leg.”

In the last year and a half, he has had many minor operations, one major knee surgery, and, to be honest, a great deal of stress. Therefore, it’s just about being more cautious—not cautious with him. He felt uncomfortable running, even while he was batting. His primary goal was to get the ball into the spectators.

In the first match, the Blackcaps shocked India by winning for the first time since 1988. After choosing to bat first at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, New Zealand’s enforcer-in-chief, Rachin Ravindra, responded to India’s meager 46 runs with a spectacular hundred in the first inning.