Gautam Gambhir wanted Rishabh Pant to bat with painkillers in Manchester Test! Here’s what doctors told BCCI

According to the latest report in the Indian Express, the star India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has not been allowed to travel to Old Trafford in Manchester for Day 2 of the Test match.

The India Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant has been advised by the medical team not to put any pressure on his injured foot, ruling out the possibility of him returning to the crease for the remainder of the match against England.

Also Read: South Africa squads for Australia tour announced, Dewald Brevis selected

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Rishabh Pant injured his foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test

On Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester, Pant suffered a foot injury. He got injured during the 68th over and was forced to retire hurt after scoring 37 runs off 48 balls with two fours and one six.

On the fourth ball of the 68th over, Chris Woakes bowled a full and slower ball to Rishabh Pant, who went for a premeditated reverse sweep and was hit flush on the boot.

There was a big appeal for LBW, but the umpire gave it not out, and England went for the review, with the Ultra-edge showing that Pant's under-edged the delivery onto his right boot.

The star wicketkeeper-batsman was in immense pain after getting hit and received medical attention on the ground. There was a swelling on his right foot along with some blood, and he was seen screaming in pain. As Rishabh Pant was unable to stand properly, a buggy was brought in the middle to carry him off.

India asked the medical team if Rishabh Pant could bat after taking painkillers

Rishabh Pant's injury has been worse than expected, as reportedly he has fractured his toe and has been advised six weeks’ rest.

In his absence, India will be one batter short in the playing XI, and the Gautam Gambhir-led team management had asked the medical team to check if Rishabh Pant can bat after taking painkillers if the need arises.

However, the medical team shut down the Indian team management's question and didn't clear the wicketkeeper-batsman to travel to the ground for the play on Day 2.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has been approached by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to join the squad for the fifth Test, and Dhruv Jurel is likely to replace Pant in the playing XI at The Oval.

The immediate swelling was a worry for me - Ricky Ponting

Legendary Australia National Cricket Team skipper and big supporter of Pant, Ricky Ponting, was left worried seeing swelling on Pant's foot.

“He (Pant) hardly put his foot on the ground. The immediate swelling was a worry for me. I’ve had a metatarsal injury myself, and they’re small, fragile bones. The fact he couldn’t put any weight on it, it doesn’t look good at all,” Ponting said on Sky Sports.

Former England National Cricket Team captain Michael Atherton also looked concerned and labelled Pant's injury as a big blow to India.

“If he is out of the game…if he’s out of the series, then that’s a massive blow to India and puts the day in a different light. That 264 for four becomes 264 for five, and with that new ball due, there is a potential to knock India over reasonably swiftly tomorrow. But if he returns to bat, he could change the game. So there is an uncertainty which we don’t know. But it looked like a quite serious injury, because you don’t get carted off otherwise,” Atherton said.

Also Read: PAK vs BAN Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today 3rd T20I, Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2025