“I can’t see him [Pant] playing much more part in this game.”
Rishabh Pant is set to miss the remainder of the England-India Test series after scans confirmed a fracture in his right foot.
The Indian vice-captain sustained the injury on the opening day while attempting a reverse sweep against England’s Chris Woakes. He inside-edged the ball onto his front foot and collapsed in pain.
His right foot, now confirmed to have a fractured metatarsal, swelled up instantly. He retired hurt on 37 and was taken off the field on a golf buggy.
Video captured by fans outside the India team hotel in Manchester showed Pant wearing a boot.
It was reported that he underwent scans shortly after leaving the ground, which revealed the fracture. An initial assessment suggests a six-to-eight-week recovery period.
Pant has already been ruled out as wicketkeeper for the rest of the fourth Test. India’s team management, in consultation with BCCI’s medical staff, will decide whether he can bat again in the series.
B Sai Sudharsan said: “He was in a lot of pain definitely.”
England spinner Liam Dawson also commented at stumps:
“I can’t see him [Pant] playing much more part in this game.”
This is Pant’s second injury in consecutive Tests. He suffered a blow to his left index finger during England’s first innings at Lord’s.
Dhruv Jurel replaced him behind the stumps then, and is expected to do so again in Manchester.
Rishabh Pant’s innings of 37 off 48 balls featured his trademark audacity, including a slog sweep for four off Jofra Archer.
He tried to reverse sweep the next delivery and was struck, sparking immediate concern. England appealed for lbw and reviewed unsuccessfully, but Pant was visibly struggling and unable to stand without support.
India captain Shubman Gill checked on Pant at the ground’s medical facility before he was taken to hospital.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to name a replacement.
However, it is likely that Ishan Kishan will be called up for the fifth Test at The Oval, with Kishan having played behind Jurel in the unofficial Tests against the England Lions earlier in 2025.
Pant’s injury could not have come at a worse time for India, with the series finely poised and the final Test approaching.
The selectors will now need to make a swift decision on his replacement and assess whether Rishabh Pant can bat again in this match or will play no further part in the tour.
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