Rohit Sharma Emphasizes Caution with Rishabh Pant's Fitness

In the aftermath of India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first Test at Bengaluru, captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the importance of managing Rishabh Pant's fitness, particularly given his recent knee injury. Pant showcased remarkable resilience by scoring 99 runs in the second innings despite struggling with his movement due to a blow he sustained while keeping wickets in the first innings.

Managing Pant’s Workload

To protect Pant from further aggravating his injury, the Indian team management made the strategic decision to use Dhruv Jurel as a substitute wicketkeeper. Rohit elaborated on the team's cautious approach towards Pant's rehabilitation, noting the seriousness of his previous surgeries. "He had a massive operation on his leg. So, we all know what he went through," Rohit stated during the post-match press conference.

He emphasized the necessity of being cautious with Pant's fitness, especially considering his history of injuries. "Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. He was trying to only put the ball in the stands... with someone like him, we just need to be extra careful," Rohit explained.

Pant's Remarkable Performance

Despite visibly struggling with movement, Pant's trademark aggressive batting style was on full display. He targeted New Zealand's bowlers with confidence, particularly excelling against the spinners. One of his standout moments was a stunning slog-sweep against Tim Southee that sailed out of the stadium, exemplifying his high-risk, high-reward approach. However, he fell short of a well-deserved century, getting dismissed on 99 at a crucial moment in the innings.

Rohit downplayed the significance of Pant's dismissal, reiterating that the management fully supports his aggressive style of play. "No one knows what goes in his mind... he has produced performances with that mindset. So, let him go and play freely," Rohit said, highlighting the team's trust in Pant’s ability to make game-changing contributions.

Looking Ahead to the Next Test

With only three days until the next Test in Pune, there are concerns about Pant’s fitness, but Rohit expressed optimism that the wicketkeeper-batter would be ready. "It was unfortunate that Shubman Gill missed this game. Sarfaraz Khan took that opportunity and got a big 100. Shubman seems okay at this point in time," Rohit noted, providing an update on Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to a neck sprain.

As the team prepares for the upcoming fixture, the focus will be on ensuring that both Pant and Gill are fit to contribute, with the aim of bouncing back from the loss against New Zealand. Rohit’s management strategy reflects a balance between safeguarding players’ health and maximizing their performance potential, particularly with someone as impactful as Rishabh Pant in the lineup.