Rishabh Pant Returns From Injury, Breaks MS Dhoni’s Test Record

Rishabh Pant overtook MS Dhoni to become India’s highest-scoring wicketkeeper in away Tests as he returned from injury and partnered Dhruv Jurel in Colombo.

Rishabh Pant endured a blow to his wrist and retired hurt on Day 1 of the India vs Sri Lanka Test.

Source : PTI || X,@ICC

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Rishabh Pant surpassed MS Dhoni's overseas Test scoring record.
• Pant returned from injury, setting new overseas scoring record.
• Him and Jurel built a steady partnership after early wicket on Day 2.

Rishabh Pant Overtakes Dhoni: Rishabh Pant has now moved past MS Dhoni to become India’s highest-scoring wicketkeeper in overseas Tests, adding another major milestone to his remarkable red-ball career. Pant reached the landmark during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Day 2, after returning to the crease following the wrist injury that forced him to retire hurt on the opening day. The India wicketkeeper-batsman resumed his innings alongside Dhruv Jurel after Saransh Jain was dismissed early in the first session. The pair have since put together a valuable partnership, steadily pushing India towards a commanding position.

Pant Moves Ahead Of Dhoni

Rishabh Pant’s latest achievement sees him edge ahead of former India captain MS Dhoni in terms of runs scored as a wicketkeeper in away Tests.

His overseas Test tally now stands at over 2,500 runs, taking him past Dhoni’s previous record of 2,496.

The achievement is another significant chapter in Pant’s Test career, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his return to the middle.

The left-hander was struck on the wrist by a Lahiru Kumara delivery on Day 1 while attempting a pull shot.

After receiving treatment from the Indian team physio, Pant was forced to leave the field retired hurt. He was later seen padded up again and eventually returned to bat on Day 2.

Pant, Jurel Dig In After Early Blow

India began the second day's play with another wicket falling as debutant Saransh Jain was removed for just 6 by Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando.

That brought Pant back into the middle, where he joined Jurel with India six wickets down. The two wicketkeepers have shown plenty of composure and scored their respective half-centuries.

Their partnership could prove crucial as India look to establish a substantial first-innings total and put further pressure on Sri Lanka.

India had already enjoyed a productive opening day, with Devdutt Padikkal continuing his outstanding run by scoring 117 for his second consecutive Test century. Captain Shubman Gill also contributed a half-century.

Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will now be desperate to break the Pant-Jurel stand and clean up India's lower order before the visitors can stretch their advantage further.