Then, on the opening day of the fourth Test against England, Rishabh Pant broke his foot. This has led to legitimate concerns over whether he could even keep playing for the remainder of the game. Pant attempted a reverse-sweep on the second ball bowled by Chris Woakes, the England pace bowler. Unfortunately, this resulted in some severe damage to his right foot. One thing was for sure — the 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman visibly struggled. After reaching 37 runs, he was forced to retire hurt and medical personnel quickly ushered him off the field.
Pant’s injury is especially heartbreaking given that he has been in some of the best form of his life for this entire series. He struck back-to-back hundreds in the inaugural Test match. In the second and third Test matches, he went on to score more than 50 runs in each game. Losing Pant would be a massive blow to India. They need to prevent humiliation at Old Trafford to remain in contention in the series, more so with his dashing and erratic wicket-taking stroke play.
The second day of the third Test at Lord’s was particularly tough for Pant. His finger injury curtailed his time as keeper. Dhruv Jurel, who had been originally named as India’s back-up keeper, went on as a substitute wicketkeeper in that match. It’s been a nerve-racking few days for the Indian camp with the prospect of losing Pant again, this time to a foot injury.
England spinner Liam Dawson had questioned or Pant ever returning to competitive action.
“Thoughts are with him, that didn’t look a great injury,” – Liam Dawson
Sudharsan seconded these sentiments, admitting how much Pant’s loss has affected the team’s performance.
“I can’t see him playing much more of a part in this game.”
Micheal Vaughan, a former cricketer and commentator, pointed out just how serious Pant’s condition is.
“Obviously it would be a very big loss, because he was batting really well today,” – Sudharsan
He remarked on Pant’s impressive form leading up to the injury:
“We will also miss a batter if he doesn’t come back, so it will definitely have consequences. At the same time, we have a few more all-rounders in the side, so we will try to bat long to negotiate that loss.”
As India navigates through this crucial match without Pant’s dynamic presence in the batting lineup, they face mounting pressure to secure a favorable outcome against England.
“I’m no expert, but when you see a foot like that, I can’t imagine we’re going to see too much more of Rishabh Pant. It’s quite possible India will be playing against England for 10 men with the remaining four days.”
He remarked on Pant’s impressive form leading up to the injury:
“For India to lose a player who was playing with such control, clarity and flamboyancy at times…the shot he tried to take on was ridiculous really, trying to reverse-sweep a bowler bowling 80mph.”
As India navigates through this crucial match without Pant’s dynamic presence in the batting lineup, they face mounting pressure to secure a favorable outcome against England.
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