INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Pant had to be helped to get off the field on the opening day. © Getty
Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester, has suffered a fracture in his right toe, an injury that could take up to two months to heal.
The India vice-captain was hit during the final session on Day 1, when he copped a blow to his right foot while attempting a reverse-sweep off Chris Woakes. He was batting on 37 at that point, and England even sought a referral for LBW, only for the replays to confirm an inside edge. However, the 27-year-old couldn’t continue to bat and needed a buggy to wheel him off the ground.
Scans later confirmed a fracture, though Pant has not left the team camp. He is still unable to put any pressure on the injured foot, casting serious doubt over his availability for the remainder of the match. Asked if he will bat in the Test, a source close to him said it’s possible. “At the moment, he’s unable to put pressure on his foot – as everyone saw, he was carted off the ground yesterday. But he’s determined, and knowing him, he might still come out to bat, who knows. That said, much will depend on the medical advice, not just his intent.”
The fracture and subsequent two-month layoff rule puts Pant out of India’s immediate international fixtures – including the proposed white-ball series in Sri Lanka (if cleared) and the Asia Cup (if held). His next possible assignment could be the home Test series against the West Indies in October, or, if not fit in time, the white-ball tour of Australia in late October to early November.
The injury adds to India’s growing list of fitness concerns in this series. Fast bowlers Akash Deep (groin) and Arshdeep Singh (finger) were both ruled out ahead of the match, leading to a debut for Anshul Kamboj.
Pant had also hurt his finger in the previous Test at Lord’s, which prevented him from keeping wickets. This latest setback comes as another blow to India as they try to level the five-match series, which England currently lead 2-1.
© Cricbuzz
