The Incident
During Day 1 of the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Rishabh Pant suffered a serious injury to his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. The impact left him writhing in pain, and he had to retire hurt. Visuals showed severe swelling, bleeding, and Pant unable to walk even with support—prompting concerns throughout the Indian camp
Sudharsan’s Reaction: “Plus, We’ll Miss…”
After play, Sai Sudharsan, who was batting alongside Pant, provided insight into the situation:
- He noted Pant was in “a lot of pain” and had left for scans immediately after the incident.
- Sudharsan admitted it would be “a big loss” if Pant failed to return, adding: “We’ll miss out… miss a batter if he doesn’t come back again. It will definitely have consequences, but the batters now at the crease and our allrounders will try giving our best and bat long to negotiate that loss.”
Medical Update: Pant Ruled Out
Subsequent reports confirmed Pant suffered a toe fracture (some specify a metatarsal fracture) and has been advised to rest for at least six weeks. This rules him out of not only the remainder of the Manchester Test but also the deciding 5th Test at The Oval. The BCCI medical team is reportedly exploring painkiller-assisted solutions, but Pant is still unable to put weight on his foot, making a return during the Manchester Test virtually impossible
What It Means for Team India
- Pant has been a key run-getter—second-highest in the series with 462 runs from 7 innings
- His absence leaves India a batter short, putting more responsibility on the current lineup and all-rounders to compensate for the loss.
- Replacement options like Ishan Kishan are reportedly being considered for the next Test
- Sudharsan’s comments and the official medical prognosis collectively confirm that Pant’s injury is a major blow to India’s hopes in the series.
Summary Table: Pant’s Injury Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Injury | Toe/metatarsal fracture, right foot |
| When | Day 1, 4th Test vs England, Manchester |
| Sudharsan’s Quote | “In a lot of pain… miss a batter…” |
| Medical advice | 6 weeks rest, out of series |
| Effect | Misses rest of Test & 5th Test |
| Likely replacement | Ishan Kishan (standby for 5th Test) |
Conclusion
Sudharsan’s honest update and the official scans have dispelled any immediate hope of Pant returning for the remainder of the match or the series. Team India will need to adjust quickly, both tactically and mentally, to cope with the absence of one of their biggest match-winners
