Manchester
India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the ongoing fourth Test against England after injuring his toe on the first day. The injury occurred when Pant attempted a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes in the 68th over. The ball hit his right toe after an inside edge, causing severe swelling and bleeding.
Pant was on 37 runs off 48 balls and had shared a 72-run partnership with B. Sai Sudharsan when he was forced to retire hurt. An ambulance buggy took him off the field. Medical scans confirmed a toe fracture, and doctors have advised him to rest for six weeks.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan may join the team for the fifth and final Test at The Oval in London as Pant’s likely replacement.
Sudharsan later said Pant was in serious pain and praised his batting before the injury. "He was batting really well. Losing him is a big setback," he told reporters after the match.
Sudharsan also observed that the pitch was offering extra bounce from one end. He believed the ball that hit Pant rose sharply, which may trouble more batters in the coming days.
Despite the injury setback, India ended the day on a strong note. They were 264 for 4 at stumps, with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur both unbeaten on 19. The Indian team hopes to build on this total to stay competitive in the match, even in Pant’s absence.
