The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, injured on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, was taken for medical scans. This comes after a worrying blow to his right foot, adding to his ongoing injury setbacks within the Test series.
How the Injury Happened
During the 68th over of India’s first innings, Pant attempted an aggressive reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. He completely missed the ball, which struck the top of his right foot — immediately causing visible swelling and bleeding. Unable to stand, Pant retired hurt on 37 off 48 balls and was carted off in a medical buggy.
The BCCI issued a statement:
“Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.”
Severity and Expert Analysis
Medical experts, including former player Ricky Ponting, expressed concern based on video replays showing Pant unable to bear weight. Ponting remarked that “It doesn’t look good at all” and highlighted the susceptibility of the small bones in the foot to serious injury.
Former England captain Mike Atherton emphasized the severity, noting that needing a cart suggests a potentially series-ending injury.
Impact on Team India
Pant’s injury compounds existing worries — he was already managing a finger injury from the previous Test at Lord’s. Early withdrawal could mean Dhruv Jurel stepping in again behind the stumps, recalling his earlier fill-in role.
Sai Sudharsan, Pant’s batting partner, described his pain and acknowledged the blow to India’s momentum:
“He was in a lot of pain … we’ll know more tomorrow. If he doesn’t come back, it’ll be a blow.”
Day 1 Recap and Series Context
| Item | Update |
| Final score | India ended Day 1 at 264/4, with Sai Sudharsan top-scoring with 61 and Yashasvi Jaiswal making 58. |
| England fightback | Ben Stokes’s twin wickets (Gill and Sudharsan) and Liam Dawson’s timely ball to Jaiswal turned the tide. Overcast conditions aided bowlers late in the day. |
| Series stakes | England currently lead the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series 2–1 and could seal it with a win. |
What Lies Ahead
- Scan results are awaited to determine Pant’s availability for Day 2 or the remainder of the Test (and series).
- If ruled out, Dhruv Jurel is expected to return behind the stumps.
- England holds a strategic advantage with the second new ball and likely overcast conditions on Day 2.
- Pant’s absence could weaken batting depth and disrupt India’s line-up balance.
Rishabh Pant’s injury is a significant setback for India. Already injured in the previous Test, this latest concern raises serious doubts about his availability. Early expert comments suggest the injury could be serious enough to rule him out of the match, if not the remainder of the series. India must now prepare contingency plans, especially in terms of wicketkeeping and lower-middle-order stability.
India’s position in the Test match remains competitive, but the uncertainty around Pant’s fitness could heavily influence the series outcome.
Photo Credit: Mint
