Indian Cricket Team Faces Setback as Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of Series Against England

Rishabh Pant's Injury Forces Him Out of England Test Series

Before the second day of the fourth Test match against England, the Indian cricket team received disappointing news. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been sidelined for the entire series. During the first day of the Manchester Test, Pant suffered a fracture in his toe, which has led to a recommendation for six weeks of rest.

With one less player in the playing eleven, the Indian management has consulted the medical team to explore if Pant could bat after taking pain relief medication. However, sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indicated that this possibility is quite low.

On the first day of the Test, while batting at 37 runs in the 68th over, Pant attempted a pre-planned reverse sweep against fast bowler Chris Woakes but missed, resulting in an injury to his right toe. The ball struck the inner edge and directly hit his toe. As the physio attended to him, Pant was seen writhing in pain on the ground, with his injured toe swollen and bloodied.

According to BCCI sources, scans confirmed the fracture, and he will be out for six weeks. The medical team is assessing whether he can return to batting with pain relief, but he still requires assistance to walk, making his return to batting highly unlikely.

In the meantime, the selection committee plans to include Ishan Kishan in the squad ahead of the fifth Test, as Pant will not participate in the final match. The last Test of the five-match series between India and England is scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval. Kishan will make his return to Test cricket after nearly two years.