Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustained a toe fracture on Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The injury, confirmed by The Indian Express, comes as a significant setback for the Indian side, with Pant expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.
The incident occurred during the 68th over of India’s innings when Pant attempted a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. The ball struck him on the right toe, causing immediate discomfort. In visible pain, the left-hander was unable to continue and had to be taken off the field in an ambulance.
Medical scans later confirmed the fracture, effectively ruling him out of the rest of the series. While the Indian team management has asked doctors to assess whether Pant can bat using painkillers due to the team being one batter short, his return to the crease remains highly doubtful.
“The scan report showed a fracture and he is ruled out for six weeks. The medical team is trying to see if he can come out to bat again by taking a pain killer. He still needs support to walk though and chances of his batting looks very bleak,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying.
Ishan Kishan Likely To Replace Injured Rishabh Pant For Fifth Test
According to the report, India is set to include wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan in the squad for the fifth Test, with Rishabh Pant ruled out due to injury and advised six weeks of rest. The final match of the series is scheduled to begin on July 31 at The Oval.
Interestingly, Kishan recently appeared in two County Championship games for Nottinghamshire under a short-term contract. He made an impact with the bat, scoring 87 against Yorkshire and following it up with 77 against Somerset.
Kishan has limited Test experience, having played only two matches for India, where he scored 78 runs, including a half-century. In first-class cricket, however, he has been more consistent, amassing 3611 runs from 60 matches at an average of 38.82, including eight centuries and 19 half-centuries.
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