Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant emerged to bat on Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England even though he sustained a massive injury on Wednesday morning. Pant retired hurt on 37 on Day 1 of the game after he was hit on his right foot when attempting to play a reverse sweep of England fast bowler Chris Woakes. Pant looked pained because his leg was inflamed after the injury and blood was observed oozing from the injury. He even wore a moon boot (a protective orthopaedic boot) to protect his injured foot when he reported to the ground on Thursday.
But BCCI confirmed that he was fit to bat and the crowd went wild when he stepped out to bat following Shardul Thakur's fall. Shardul waited for Pant to join him before leaving the field and even patted him on his head before walking out.
"Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper," the BCCI posted on X.
"Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat as per team requirements," it added.
Earlier, a report by PTI provided a grim update after Pant's injury.
"His metatarsal bones (a group of five long bones located between the ankle and toe) seem to be shattered. It doesn't look good at all," a BCCI source told PTI.
India have already lost all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy due to a knee issue, and pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are absent from the current game due to a groin strain and a finger injury respectively.
Pant's injury is an addition to the woes for the team that is behind 1-2 currently.
Kishan, who has recently played two County games for Nottinghamshire, was also included in the India A team which played against the England Lions prior to the Test series, although the 26-year-old did not take part in either of the two games.
The think tank may also require KL Rahul to act as a wicketkeeper, but he has not served in that role since the South African tour in the 2023-24 season.
