WATCH: Huge blow for India, Rishabh Pant walks off retired hurt after suffering three blows in 20 minutes during India A red ball clash against South Africa A

India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field midway on Day 3 of India A's red-ball four-day clash against South Africa A after being hit on the left fore-arm at BCCI's CoE in Bengaluru. Pant, who fractured his foot while playing a shot against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, has been included in India’s upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, which will start from November 14, with the first Test taking place at iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. 

Before the Test series against South Africa, Pant is currently featuring for India A in the series against South Africa A. Coming back to the match, Pant came to bat early in the day after KL Rahul's dismissal. He was off to the mark with his typical style, with the first three scoring shots being: 4, 4 and 6. The first two were smashed over mid-wicket, the second a casual flick and the third was his usual swirl that went soaring over the boundary fence.

ALSO READ: Explained: How cricket teams will qualify for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and why uncertainty looms over a possible India vs Pakistan clash

Tshepo Moreki's bouncer hit on Rishabh Pant's helmet

However, after some time, Tshepo Moreki's bouncer hit him in the helmet when he tried to play a reverse-ramp. The impact had him off balance, and he was down on the floor as the physio conducted the mandatory concussion test.

Moreki's short delivery injured Pant's elbow

After that, Moreki hit Pant on his left fore-arm when the batsman tried to pull a delivery that was angling into his body. Since Pant was early to play that shot, the ball hit him flush on the elbow, and Pant seemed to be in a lot of pain with the physio coming out with the magic spray. That Pant took his gloves off immediately suggested he was in considerable pain, but after medical attention decided to carry on.

ALSO READ: Not Jasprit Bumrah or Shubman Gill, ex-India opener picks this star as biggest X-factor for Suryakumar Yadav-led side in T20 World Cup 2026

Moreki's ball hit Pant's abdomen

Minutes later, Moreki added to Pant’s troubles. While trying to defend a delivery, Pant misjudged the line and was struck in the abdomen, forcing the physio to come out for the third time in just 20 minutes. After a short break, Pant was still clearly in pain, this time holding his forearm, and the decision was made to send in a new batsman.

Pant walked off retired hurt, and even after night watchman Kuldeep Yadav got out, he did not return to the crease. Harsh Dubey took his place instead. With the first Test starting next week, India will be hoping their first-choice wicketkeeper recovers in time.