Morne Morkel confirms Rishabh Pant injury as India eyes follow-on against Sri Lanka

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is dealing with a badly bruised shoulder, a development that kept him off the field during the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Pant, who sustained the injury after taking a blow to his wrist on the opening day, had shown resilience by returning to the crease on Day 2 to score a brisk 63 off 89 deliveries.

Following India’s declaration at 503 for nine, the team opted to keep Pant away from the physical demands of wicketkeeping as a precautionary measure. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed with a century earlier in the match, stepped in to take the gloves. Morkel emphasized the importance of Pant’s presence, noting that the team is monitoring his condition overnight and values his ability to read the game from behind the stumps.

Morkel took the opportunity to praise the character of his bowling unit, particularly Prasidh Krishna. The pacer, who has faced recent scrutiny, delivered two energetic spells that helped India regain momentum. Morkel described Krishna as a dedicated student of the game who possesses the talent to excel across all formats. The coach also lauded Mohammed Siraj for his relentless work rate, highlighting his ability to maintain intensity even on a flat surface and through physical discomfort.

As the match heads into its final stages, the Indian management remains focused on being aggressive in their pursuit of a result. The team is looking to wrap up the Sri Lankan tail early on the fourth day, aiming to put the hosts back in to bat as they push for a series-defining victory in challenging conditions.