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Concussion rules Rishabh Pant out of second ODI

The 22-year old wicketkeeper was struck on the head by the ball in the 44th over, a ricochet off the top edge which also resulted in his wicket

Rishabh Pant whips one on the leg side  •  BCCI

Rishabh Pant whips one on the leg side  •  BCCI

Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India's second ODI against Australia, after sustaining a concussion during the first match in Mumbai. A decision on his availability for the third and final match has not been made yet, and will depend on how he responds to treatment during the rehabilitation period.
The 22-year old wicketkeeper was struck on the head by a bouncer from Pat Cummins in the 44th over of India's innings, a ricochet off the top edge which also resulted in his wicket. He didn't take the field for the second half of the match, with KL Rahul given the gloves for India.
With no replacement named by the BCCI, it looks likely that Rahul will continue to keep wicket as the series goes on. Pant, meanwhile, was kept under observation overnight and will now head to the NCA in Bengaluru, which is also the venue for the third ODI, after his scans came back clear.
"After getting hit on his helmet while batting in the 1st ODI, Rishabh got a concussion and took no further part in the game," the BCCI said ina statement. "He was then taken to the hospital for overnight monitoring under a specialist. He is stable and all his scan reports are clear. He has been discharged from the hospital and will head to NCA, Bengaluru to undergo his rehabilitation protocol. He is ruled out of the 2nd ODI. His availability for the final ODI will be based on how he responds during the rehabilitation protocol."
Pant had not needed any immediate treatment on the field after he was hit on Tuesday, and he was able to walk off on his own steam as well, but it soon became clear that he was indisposed. He did not join India's training in the break between innings and Rahul who was seen practicing his glovework as the Australian openers walked out. Confirmation of the injury arrived when the BCCI put out a statement some time during the first two overs of the chase.
Pant had played a good hand, scoring 28 off 33 balls as India tried to recover from a middle-order collapse. India had been 134 for 1 in the 28th over, but were dragged down to 164 for 5 as Australia's fast bowlers adapted well to a slow pitch at the Wankhede Stadium.
The bowlers eventually restricted India to 255, and the opening duo of David Warner and Aaron Finch both hit unbeaten centuries as Australia squashed India by ten wickets, with 12.2 overs to spare.