Will Rishabh Pant Take Further Part in IND vs ENG Manchester Test?

The fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India is underway in Manchester. This is a must-win Test for the Indian team, which is currently trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series. India can’t afford a loss here as it would mean that they would lose the series with a match yet to play.

After winning the toss, the home side decided to field first under overcast conditions. It was an intriguing first day's play as both teams had their chances. While India finished in a comfortable position at the end of the day, they will be worried about the fitness of Rishabh Pant, who was injured while batting.

Rishabh Pant Injury

The Indian team looked strong before the serious Rishabh Pant injury, which forced him to retire hurt. The left-handed batter was batting aggressively, on 37 runs off 48 balls, when he tried to play a reverse shot off Chris Woakes. However, he missed the shot, and the ball struck the top of Pant’s right foot. He looked in immense pain as blood started to seep through his shoe.

Pant was barely able to put weight on his right foot, and India’s physio had to rush to the field. Many thought that a few medications would help Pant get relief from the pain. But the injury was serious as a golf buggy was brought into the field to carry him away, and he was retired hurt. Later, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant was taken for scans and the medical team is closely monitoring his injury. The recent reports suggest that a 6-week rest has been suggested for Pant due to a fractured toe.

Rishabh Pant Injury Update: Will He Come Out to Bat Again?

As per the latest updates, Rishabh Pant has been advised a 6-week rest for a fractured toe. This could be a massive blow to the hopes of the Indian team as well as the fans. Rishabh Pant availability for the rest of the match is now almost out of the scenario. He is likely to be out of the entire series now.

In Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets for India in this match. While Pant is not available to keep wickets, he has joined the Indian team on Day 2 of the match. According to the BCCI's press release, he will be available to bat if the need arises.

The Men in Blue will be one batter short as Jurel won't be eligible to replace Pant with the bat. Rishabh Pant foot injury is a big blow to India's chances as they aim to win this game and level the series before going into the final Test.

Former England captain Michael Atherton issued a warning to the Indian team on the uncertainty of Pant’s further participation in the ongoing Test match. “If he is out of the game...if he's out of the series, then that's a massive blow to India and puts the day in a different light. That 264 for four becomes 264 for five, and with that new ball due, there is a potential to knock India over reasonably swiftly tomorrow. But if he returns to bat, he could change the game. So there is an uncertainty that we don't know. But it looked like a quite serious injury, because you don't get carted off otherwise,” Atherton told Sky Cricket.

Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur at the Crease

Meanwhile, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja came in place of Pant. Jadeja was the star for the Indian team and probably the lone warrior who stood unbeaten; however, he failed to save his team from a loss. The left-handed batter would hope to deliver the same performance in the fourth Test as well. He is accompanied by Shardul Thakur, who made it to the squad after Nitish Kumar Reddy injured his knee.

Thakur played the first Test but couldn’t contribute much with both bat and ball. He was dropped from the second Test, replaced by Reddy. However, Thakur has looked comfortable with the bat so far. At the end of Day 1 of this Test, India are batting on 264 runs after losing four wickets. Both Jadeja and Thakur are batting on 19 runs each. The remaining proper batter for India is only Washington Sundar.