India’s vice-captain, Rishabh Pant, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after suffering a toe fracture. Pant, who was batting on 37 in the 68th over of India’s innings during the Manchester Test, was struck on the foot while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes’ delivery. The impact caused a fracture, and Pant was immediately attended to by the team physio.
Unable to put weight on his foot, Pant was escorted off the field in a golf-cart. Post-match scans confirmed a toe fracture, and he has been advised to rest for six weeks, effectively ending his participation in the series.
Pant’s Absence Hits India Hard
“Rishabh Pant is ruled out of the series. The scans have confirmed a toe fracture, and he is in a lot of pain,” sources told Hindustan Times. This injury comes as a severe setback for the Indian team, which was already dealing with injuries to Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Dhruv Jurel will replace Pant as a substitute wicketkeeper, but he will not be permitted to bat, leaving India to play the remainder of the match with just 10 players.
A Challenging Series for India
Pant’s injury is a significant blow to India’s chances in the series. The left-handed batter had been in exceptional form, notably scoring two centuries in the series opener at Headingley. His consistency with the bat has been a key factor for India throughout the series.
This injury marks another setback for Pant in the ongoing series. Earlier, he had injured his index finger while keeping wickets at Lord’s during the third Test. Despite these challenges, Pant had shown remarkable resilience in making his return to competitive cricket after a life-threatening car crash.
A Remarkable Comeback
Pant’s recovery from the accident had been an inspiring story. Against all odds, he returned to play for Delhi Capitals in the IPL and made his comeback to the Indian T20I team for the World Cup. His Test return in September 2024 during the Bangladesh series was a testament to his determination.
Now, with Pant sidelined, India will need to adjust their strategy as they face the remainder of the series without one of their key players.
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