Thu Oct 17 12:09:49 UTC 2024: ## Pant Injured, Jurel Substitutes as India Stumble to Lowest Home Test Total

**Bengaluru, India:** India’s first Test against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium took a dramatic turn on Thursday as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the match due to a knee injury. The incident occurred in the 37th over when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja struck Pant’s right knee, forcing him to leave the field in discomfort.

Pant’s injury is a significant blow to India, who are already struggling to recover from a disastrous first innings where they were bowled out for their lowest ever home Test total of 46. This dismal performance shattered their previous record of 75 against the West Indies in 1987.

Dhruv Jurel, despite KL Rahul being in the playing XI, emerged as the substitute wicketkeeper. This unfortunate incident follows a day of despair for India, who were bundled out for 46 runs in the first innings.

Earlier, New Zealand’s Devon Conway had powered the visitors to 82-1 after their bowlers had wreaked havoc on the Indian batting order. Conway reached his fifty off just 54 balls, with a six off Ravichandran Ashwin.

Matt Henry and William O’Rourke were the architects of India’s downfall, taking five and four wickets respectively. Henry achieved his 100th Test wicket, further highlighting India’s woes.

This injury adds to the mounting pressure on the Indian team, who will need to fight back strongly to avoid a heavy defeat in the first Test.

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