Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the remainder of the Old Trafford Test and the upcoming final Test at The Oval after scans confirmed a fracture in his right foot. The injury, sustained on the opening day of the fourth Test, has dealt a major blow to India’s campaign.
While Pant is certain to miss wicketkeeping duties, the team management, along with BCCI medical staff, will decide later if he can contribute as a batter during the match. The fracture has been identified as a metatarsal injury in Pant’s right foot, with an initial recovery timeline of six to eight weeks.
Fan-shot footage from outside the Indian team hotel in Manchester showed Pant wearing a protective moonboot, confirming the severity of the injury. The development further rules him out of immediate action, raising concerns about his fitness for upcoming international commitments.
Rishabh Pant sustained the injury during the second session.
Play while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, resulting in an inside edge that struck his front (right) foot. Pant showed instant discomfort with visible swelling on his right foot, raising immediate injury concerns. He retired hurt on 37 and was taken off on a golf buggy, with scans later confirming a fracture.
Following the impact, England players went up for an LBW appeal, unaware of the inside edge. Although Pant survived the review, his visible pain signaled a serious injury. While Pant survived both the on-field call and the DRS review, his visible discomfort told a different story. The swelling on his foot was immediate, and he struggled to put any weight on it, signaling the seriousness of the injury.
Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper and vice-captain.
Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of Test Series After Foot Fracture Setback initially assessed at the ground’s medical facility, where captain Shubman Gill personally checked in on his condition. He was later taken to a hospital for detailed scans and further evaluation of the injury.
England spinner Liam Dawson, speaking at the end of the day’s play, expressed doubt over Pant’s further involvement in the match, saying, England’s Liam Dawson doubted Pant’s return, saying, England’s Liam Dawson cast doubt on Pant’s involvement, saying, “I can’t see him playing much more part in this game.” B Sai Sudharsan, at the non-striker’s end, confirmed the severity, adding, “He was in a lot of pain definitely.”
This marks Pant’s second injury in consecutive Test matches, after he took a blow to his left index finger while keeping during England’s first innings at Lord’s. On that occasion, Dhruv Jurel stepped in as a substitute wicketkeeper for the remainder of the match—and he may be called upon again to fulfill the same role in the current Test.
Rishabh Pant’s 37 off 48 was a measured knock with flashes of brilliance, including a slog sweep for four off Jofra Archer. However, his attempt at a reverse sweep on the very next delivery led to the injury that forced him to retire hurt.
The BCCI has yet to officially confirm Pant’s fracture, but with his unavailability all but certain, they are expected to name a replacement ahead of the fifth Test. During the unofficial Tests between England Lions and India A prior to the series, Ishan Kishan served as the second-choice wicketkeeper behind Dhruv Jurel, making him a likely candidate to be called up.