Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has suffered a fracture in his foot.
The moment Pant went down in visible pain, it seemed serious—and scans later confirmed a fracture in his foot. This injury has ruled him out of the ongoing Old Trafford Test and has also cast doubt over his participation in the next match.
According to a report published by cricket website ESPNcricinfo on Thursday, Pant is expected to be sidelined for 6 to 8 weeks.
The injury occurred on the first day of the Manchester Test against England. Attempting a reverse sweep off pacer Chris Woakes, Pant was struck on the foot by a yorker that hit him flush on the boot.
He immediately crumpled in pain and struggled to stand. TV footage showed significant swelling on his right foot, and bleeding was also visible. Pant, who was batting on 37 off 48 balls, was eventually taken off the field in a golf cart.
He received initial medical treatment on the field before being taken to a hospital for further tests.
Speaking after the day’s play, England spinner Liam Dawson—playing his first Test in 8 years—said, “I don’t see Pant returning in this match.” Sai Sudharsan, who was at the crease with Pant when the injury happened, added, “He was definitely in a lot of pain.”
This marks Pant’s second injury during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Earlier, while keeping at Lord’s, he was struck on the index finger and had to hand over the gloves to Dhruv Jurel.
He is also unlikely to keep wickets in this match, and Jurel is expected to take over behind the stumps once again. However, as reported by Cricbuzz, Pant is still keen to bat in the second innings if he feels fit enough.
Injuries have plagued the Indian camp throughout this England tour. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has already been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a knee injury. Arshdeep Singh is sidelined with a finger injury, while Akash Deep is missing the Old Trafford Test due to a groin issue.
At stumps on Day 1 of the fourth Test, India had reached 264 for 4.
