Revealed: Why is Rishabh Pant Not Wicketkeeping in SL vs IND 2nd Test?

The SL vs IND 2nd Test at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, is underway, with both teams fighting hard to win this match. The Indian Cricket Team chose to bat first after winning the toss and batted quite well till 2nd session of Day 2, posting a big total of 503 runs in the first innings. Indian batting lineup showed grit on the field while taking on the Sri Lankan bowling lineup.

From Rishabh Pant injury on Day 1 to scoring a good knock of 63 runs, he fought well on the field. However, when Sri Lanka came to bat on Day 2, many observed that Rishabh Pant, India's regular wicketkeeper, was not keeping wickets; similarly, on Day 3 as well. This made fans curious to know the reason behind it.

Why is Rishabh Pant Not Wicketkeeping in SL vs IND 2nd Test?

Rishabh Pant, one of the best wicketkeepers in India, is not wicketkeeping in the SL vs IND 2nd Test as he is dealing with a couple of injuries during the match. Pant got hit on his wrist on opening day while batting and then had a sore right shoulder the following day when he returned to bat. Management is likely resting Pant from his wicketkeeping duties, with the availability of another wicketkeeper, Dhruv Jurel, in the side.

Shubman Gill and Co. are dependent on Dhruv Jurel wicketkeeping for almost the rest of the match, while Rishabh Pant is fully fit to take on the field with his gloves. At the end of Day 2, Jurel also gave an update regarding Rishabh Pant injury by saying, "Right now, (Rishabh) Pant has a sore right shoulder. We are closely monitoring him. Today I kept wickets; hopefully, he will be fit.”

Dhruv Jurel Wicketkeeping Record

This isn't the first time Dhruv Jurel has taken on wicketkeeping after Rishabh Pant got injured during a match. During India's 2025 tour of England, Jurel stepped in as a stand-in wicketkeeper when Pant got injured, then replaced him in the side in the last Test match. Dhruv Jurel has emerged as one of the brightest talents as a wicketkeeper. In his short Test career, he took on the role of a wicketkeeper in 6 matches, where a total of 15 dismissals are under his name. He is expected to do well in Pant's absence and make a difference behind the wickets.