Rishabh Pant Retires Hurt but Scores 65 in India A Match

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, retired hurt during a match for India A against South Africa A in Bengaluru on Saturday, sparking brief concerns ahead of the national team's upcoming Test series against South Africa. The incident occurred on the third day of the second unofficial four-day Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where Pant was struck three times by South African pacer Tshepo Moreki while batting.

Pant, captaining India A, walked in at number five after KL Rahul's dismissal for 27 runs. He began aggressively, hitting Okuhle Cele for two boundaries and a six in his first three scoring shots. However, toward the end of the morning session, Moreki's short-pitched deliveries caused trouble. The first blow came on Pant's helmet as he attempted a reverse pull, knocking him off balance and sending him to the ground. Physios conducted a concussion test, and he resumed after being cleared.

Minutes later, a rising delivery struck his right elbow during a short-arm jab, prompting pain-relief spray and taping. The third hit landed on his abdomen off a seam-up ball that jagged back, leaving Pant in visible discomfort. Despite his determination to continue, India...