SL vs IND 2026: 'Your ego gets hurt…' - Cheteshwar Pujara impressed by how Rishabh Pant absorbed body blows on Day 2

India's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Monday, August 24 saw Rishabh Pant return to the crease after sustaining an injury on Day 1. Pant had retired hurt after being struck on the wrist of his left hand while attempting a pull off Lahiru Kumara, facing just 15 balls before departing the field. India had reached 300 for 5 at stumps on Day 1, and the team's middle order faced the challenge of rebuilding on the second day.

Pant came back to bat during the second day's play and went on to score 63 off 81 balls, demonstrating composure and tactical awareness despite the physical toll of the earlier blow. His return proved significant for India's innings progression, as the team reached 419 for 6 at lunch on Day 2. Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara offered his assessment of how Pant handled the pressure and physical challenge of facing short-pitched bowling.

“Your ego gets hurt when you get hit on the body. Should I try and play a pull shot, should I keep leaving the ball, do I have to wait for my time, and that decision is very important. I think Rishabh made the right decision today. He kept leaving the ball but when his time came, he played his shots. And that contribution with Dhruv Jurel, that partnership was very important for Team India,” said Pujara on Sony Sports.

Pant's partnership with Dhruv Jurel proved to be a turning point in India's innings. The two batters added 112 runs off 151 balls for the seventh wicket, a substantial contribution that steadied India's position after the loss of earlier wickets. The partnership ended when Pant danced down the track to Keshara Nuwantha and hit the ball directly into the hands of the fielder stationed at long-off.

This seventh-wicket stand held historical significance for India in Sri Lanka, marking only the second occasion on which India have recorded a century partnership for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test match at this venue. The previous instance came in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara himself partnered with Amit Mishra to add 104 runs at the same ground.