JuicyTalk
Day 1 of the ENG vs IND fourth Test at Old Trafford was marred by a significant and distressing incident as India‘s wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, was forced to retire hurt after sustaining a painful blow to his right boot.
Rishabh Pant suffers agonizing injury on Day 1 of ENG vs IND Manchester Test
Attempting a characteristic reverse-sweep off England pacer Chris Woakes, Pant agonizingly missed the ball completely, which then struck him flush on his foot. While UltraEdge ultimately revealed a faint contact, averting an LBW verdict that England had appealed for, the severe impact had already caused considerable damage, visibly rattling the Indian camp and eliciting shocked silence from the Old Trafford crowd.
The aftermath of the blow was visually grim and immediately concerning. Broadcast cameras zoomed in to reveal alarming swelling and blood seeping through Pant’s right boot, a harrowing sight that underscored the seriousness of the injury. India’s physiotherapist, Yogesh Parmar, promptly rushed onto the field to provide immediate treatment, but despite his efforts, the excruciating pain prevented Pant from regaining his stance or putting any weight on the foot. A mini-ambulance cart was swiftly summoned, and a visibly grimacing Pant, in clear agony, was carefully escorted off the field by medical staff and then transported to a nearby medical facility for emergency scans.
Crucial update from BCCI and teammate Sai Sudharsan on Pant’s injury
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) swiftly issued an official statement, confirming: “Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” His frustration was palpable as he left the field, the emotional moment highlighting the gravity of his condition.
𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲:
Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test.
He was taken for scans from the stadium.
The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025
Young batter Sai Sudharsan, Pant’s partner at the crease when the incident occurred and who top-scored with 61 runs, voiced his immediate concern after stumps, stating, “He was in a lot of pain, definitely. They’ve gone for scans, we’ll know more tomorrow. Obviously, we’ll miss a batter if he doesn’t return. It will definitely have consequences.” From the opposition camp, England all-rounder Liam Dawson also expressed empathy, remarking to the press, “Thoughts with Rishabh Pant, but can’t see him take any further part in the match,” emphasizing how serious the blow looked even to those on the opposing side.
Also READ: Fans mercilessly troll Shubman Gill over his dismissal on Day 1 of ENG vs IND fourth Test
Implications for India and ICC regulations on returning to bat
Pant’s injury carries significant implications for India’s prospects in this crucial Test, especially given his fluent batting performance where he was on 37 runs off 48 balls and had started building a solid partnership with Sudharsan (who later fell for 61). After his departure at 212/3, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur steadied the innings to 264/4 by stumps, but the momentum had clearly shifted. This isn’t the first physical setback for Pant in this series; he had previously suffered a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s while keeping in the first innings, which necessitated Dhruv Jurel taking over wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of that match, with Pant only batting in the second innings.
This history with injuries adds to the current concern about his fitness for the rest of this match and potentially the series. According to the ICC Playing Conditions, specifically Section 25.4, a batter who retires because of illness, injury, or any other unavoidable cause is entitled to resume his innings if the ball is dead. The rule further specifies that if a batter who retires hurt resumes their innings, it must be either at the fall of a wicket or if another batter retires hurt. While this rule theoretically allows Pant to return if cleared by the medical team, the visual severity of the injury, including blood and significant swelling, means that India faces an anxious wait for the scan results, which will determine his participation and potential team balance adjustments, with Jurel likely to step in as wicketkeeper if Pant is ruled out.
