Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to miss the remainder of the ongoing Test series against England after sustaining a serious foot injury on the opening day of the fourth Test at Manchester, sources said. Medical advice has recommended a six-week rest period, effectively ruling him out of the final match.
Pant sustained the injury while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. The yorker-length delivery deflected off the edge of his bat and struck his right foot, causing significant pain. He was seen in visible discomfort, with swelling and bleeding, and was taken off the field on a buggy.
With Pant unavailable, India will play the rest of the Manchester Test with just 10 batters, as Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping duties. India were 264/4 in their first innings at the time of the update.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the injury on its official handle, stating, “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.”
In light of the injury, selectors may consider calling up left-handed keeper Ishan Kishan, who recently played County cricket for Nottinghamshire and was reinstated in the BCCI’s central contract list. Kishan has scored 78 runs in two Tests, including a half-century, and has over 3,600 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 38.82.
Pant had previously sustained a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s but continued to bat through the pain, scoring 74 in the first innings. Despite his efforts, India failed to chase down 193 in the second innings.
Pant has been a standout performer in the series, scoring 462 runs at an average of 77.00 and a strike rate above 78, with two centuries and two fifties, making him the second-highest run-getter so far. His absence will be a major blow to India’s middle order as the series nears its conclusion.
