Champions Trophy Blow for Team India with Star Player Injured in Nets

New Delhi : India’s Champions Trophy campaign has been dealt a potential setback with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant suffering a knee injury during a training session in Dubai. The injury occurred just days before India’s highly anticipated opening match against Bangladesh on February 20. Pant was struck on his left knee by a shot from all-rounder Hardik Pandya. While initial pain caused Pant to limp off the field, he received medical attention and continued practicing with his knee strapped.

This injury is particularly concerning as it involves the same knee that Pant had previously injured in a horrific car crash in December 2022. Despite the blow, Pant appeared in good spirits, sharing a laugh with teammate Axar Patel as he returned to the nets after a brief visit to the dressing room. The injury has raised concerns given the proximity of India’s first match in the tournament, with the team eagerly preparing for what promises to be a competitive Champions Trophy campaign.

Pant’s resilience has been evident throughout his career, and despite the setback, he is expected to remain an integral part of the team. Playing in his first Champions Trophy, Pant has already established himself as a match-winner for India in limited-overs formats, boasting a strike rate of over 100 in both ODIs and T20Is. His explosive batting, combined with his role as wicketkeeper, makes him a key asset for the Indian team.

The team’s training session continued as scheduled, with Pant resuming practice shortly after the injury, signaling that it might not be a serious issue. The Indian team management is likely to keep a close watch on his condition in the coming days.

India’s Champions Trophy journey will kick off on February 20th in Dubai against Bangladesh. The team will play all its group matches at the Dubai International Stadium, which has become a familiar venue for many of the players. The cricketing world is also eagerly anticipating the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan on February 23, which is set to be one of the tournament’s marquee matchups.

While the injury to Pant is a concern, the Indian team remains hopeful that the issue will not impede his performance in the opening match. The management and medical team will continue to monitor the wicketkeeper-batter’s recovery and determine if any changes are required in the lineup.