India’s Rishabh Pant suffered a foot injury during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, prompting calls for a rule change from former players—but the BCCI has confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter is still available to bat, offering relief to India in a must-win match.
Pant injury forces retirement but return confirmed
The incident occurred late on Day 1 when Pant attempted a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes and took a blow to his right foot. He retired hurt on 37 and was driven off in a medical buggy, raising fears India might be down to ten fit batters with four days of play left.
“Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the BCCI said in a statement. On Day 2, the board added via X (formerly Twitter): “Rishabh Pant… will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper.”
Sai Sudharsan: “He was in a lot of pain”
Sai Sudharsan, who made a promising debut with a maiden Test fifty and shared a partnership with Pant, said after play: “He was in a lot of pain, definitely… he was batting really well today… it will definitely have consequences (if he is ruled out).”
Pant has been one of India’s top performers on the England tour, with two centuries and two fifties, making his fitness critical in a match where India trail 1-2 in the five-Test series and must win to stay alive.
Michael Vaughan: “We should allow like-for-like subs”
The injury reignited debate over Test cricket’s substitution rules. Former England captain Michael Vaughan took to X to advocate for allowing like-for-like substitutions for non-concussion injuries in the first innings of Tests:
Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs .. https://t.co/MComKbHbyn
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 24, 2025
“Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like subs… we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabh’s,” Vaughan posted. Other pundits echoed the sentiment, calling on the ICC to revisit substitution policies that currently only allow for concussion replacements.
India recover after Pant injury blow
Despite the setback, India posted a competitive 4-264 at stumps on Day 1. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a solid platform, adding 78 for the first wicket. England hit back after lunch, with Liam Dawson taking a key wicket on his return to Test cricket after eight years.
“It is nice to contribute early on. At my age, I thought Test cricket was gone, but it’s great to be back. But it’s only one wicket, I’ve done nothing special,” Dawson said.
Pant returns to bat, lifts India spirits
After confirmation from the BCCI, Pant was seen in the Indian dressing room and later returned to the crease—visibly limping but determined—after the fall of Shardul Thakur. His return was seen as a crucial morale boost for a team fighting to stay alive in the series.
With Pant back in the middle and India in a strong position, the team will be hoping to capitalize and set up a series decider in the fifth Test.
