INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Pant was wheeled off in a buggy after copping the blow © Getty
Rishabh Pant sustained an injury on the opening day for a second straight Test match and had to be wheeled off the field in a buggy. India’s vice-captain copped a blow to his right foot off the fourth ball of the 68th over, bowled by Chris Woakes.
Pant was later taken to a hospital for scans, with the Indian medical team monitoring him. “He was in a lot of pain definitely, but they’ve gone for scans. We’ll get to know overnight, probably get the information tomorrow,” said Sai Sudharsan, who was at the other end when Pant sustained the injury.
“Obviously (it will be a big miss if he’s ruled out), because he was batting really well today as well. Plus, we’ll miss a batter if he doesn’t come back again. So, it will definitely have consequences. But at the same time, the batters who are batting right now and there are a few more all-rounders inside. So, we’ll try and give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss very well,” added the left-hander, who top-scored with 61 and was involved in a 72-run stand with Pant.
The injury came about when Pant attempted a premeditated reverse-sweep and wore a full delivery to the side of his right boot. England went up in appeal for an LBW and even sought a referral but replays showed that Pant had managed an inside-edge.
But even before the replays for the review came up, Pant was in agony as he took off his gloves and hobbled around while waiting for the physio to attend to him. The umpires took a drinks interval while India’s physio got Pant off his pads, socks and boot on his right foot. Pictures showed a spot of blood as well as some swelling to the outside part of his right foot.
And with Pant in considerable agony and unable to put any pressure on the foot, gestures were made to the dressing room for a new batter as well as to a buggy to wheel him off the field.
This is the latest episode in a week in which India’s squad has been hit hard with injury troubles. Seamers Akash Deep (groin) and Arshdeep Singh (finger) were ruled out of this Test necessitating a need for a squad call-up and a debut for Anshul Kamboj. Pant himself had only managed a recovery from a finger injury sustained in Lord’s where he couldn’t keep wickets.
Pant was batting on 37 off 48 when he retired. India were 212 for 3 at that stage, after being put into bat on the opening day of the fourth Test, with England leading the series 2-1. They went into Stumps at 264/4.
© Cricbuzz
