After rain forced an early end to Day 3 of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Rishabh Pant walked out into the ground and stood in the heavy downpour. Ground staff continued working under the covers while Pant remained in the rain, smiling and relaxed despite his ongoing injury concerns. A fan nearby called out to him in Hindi telling him that he will get fever as the rain water here is different. Pant's reply to this was hilarious and the entire video has gone viral on social media.
A fan shouted “Rishabh bhai, Bukhar ho jayega. Idhar ka pani alag hai.” in Hindi which meant he risked catching a fever because the local water was different. Pant replied with a laugh,“Bukhaar Karva ke hi jana tum. Nahi hoga to bhi karva dena.” He jokingly told the fan they would only leave after making sure he got a fever, and even if it did not happen naturally they should still ensure it. The fan immediately responded by saying, “Nahi, nahi bhai. We love you bhai.”
Rishabh Pant’s Return to Field Still Uncertain After Shoulder Injury
Rishabh Pant’s participation in the second Test has been cut short by injury from the opening day. On Day 1 at the Sinhalese Sports Club he retired hurt after a short ball from Lahiru Kumara struck his left wrist. He had scored only 3 runs off 15 balls at that stage. He returned to bat on Day 2 and produced a knock of 63 from 89 balls. The innings included six fours and two sixes. One of those sixes travelled nearly 95 metres and smashed a solar panel on the stadium roof. Pant shared a crucial 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who finished unbeaten on 115. Their partnership helped the team declare at 503 for 9.
On Day 3, he was wearing a shoulder sling and did not take the field due to an injury. Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in his place. The team physio continued to monitor the shoulder closely after the repeated hits. No official statement ruled Pant out of the remainder of the match, but his ability to field or keep in the later stages looks tough. Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel was hopeful that Pant could return to the field for the last two days as India pushed for a win. Sri Lanka ended the day on 265/8 on the back of an unbeaten 85 from Sonal Dinusha. They are trailing by 238 runs and the next two days promises to be a thrilling one.
