India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant ruled out of the remaining England Test series due to a fractured toe injury sustained during the fourth Test in Manchester.
Pant was batting on 37 when he attempted a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes and inside-edged the ball onto his right foot. Medical scans later confirmed a fractured metatarsal. He was immediately taken off the field and shifted to a local hospital for further evaluation.
According to the BCCI medical team, Pant has been advised a minimum rest period of six weeks, which sidelines him from the final Test at The Oval and potentially upcoming home series. Rishabh Pant’s injury also deprives India of their vice-captain and the preferred keeper-batter in the England tour.
With Pant ruled out, Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties for the ongoing Test. However, as per match regulations, he is not permitted to bat, effectively leaving India one batter short. Ishan Kishan is reportedly being considered as Pant’s replacement for the fifth Test.
The injury is a major blow for Team India during the critical stages of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. The Indian squad will now have to adjust their middle-order strategy and keeping options going into the final match.
