Can Rishabh Pant bat on Day 2 in Colombo Test? India batting coach gives fitness update

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is fit to bat in his team’s first innings in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, confirmed batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Pant retired hurt on Day 1, after being hit on his wrist while trying to pull a 133kph short ball from Lahiru Kumara over deep backward square leg for six.

He did not initially appear to be in severe discomfort but received medical attention for several minutes before leaving the field, unbeaten on 3 off 15 balls. Pant was seen sitting in the dugout and in the dressing room for the rest of the third session. He even seemed ready to bat again and was spotted being padded up during the closing stages of day one.

Kotak gave an update on Pant’s fitness, saying that he's ready to bat on Day 2 with India eyeing to stretch their first innings score past 450.

“Rishabh Pant will be fine to bat tomorrow,” Kotak said in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.

If Pant continues to experience discomfort, India have two back-up wicketkeepers to take up the gloves in the playing XI. Dhruv Jurel will be the frontrunner to take up the wicketkeeping duties, while India also have the option of KL Rahul.

India finish Day 1 on 300/5

Meanwhile, India finished Day 1 on 300/5 with Dhruv Jurel (7*) and Saransh Jain (4*) at the crease. Devdutt Padikkal slammed his second century of the series, playing a scintillating innings of 117, laced with 12 fours. Apart from him, captain Shubman Gill (50), Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (43) also made valuable contributions after India opted to bat first.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando (3/46) was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul, while Lahiru Kumara (1/38) and Keshara Nuwantha (1/93) scalped one wicket each.