Rishabh Pant injury: India's vice-captain fractures toe, likely to be ruled out of England Test series

Rishabh Pant has fractured his toe in a massive blow for team India during the fourth Test against England t Manchester. The wicketkeeper, who retired hurt on the first day, has now likely been ruled out for at least two months, Cricbuzz reported.

The vice-captain was hit on the toe while attempting a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. He got an inside edge and the ball hit him flush on the shoe. The batter was on 37 at that point. England reviewed for LBW but replays confirmed the inside-edge. However, Pant had to be taken off on a buggy.

Scans have confirmed that Pant has suffer a fracture. While Pant has not yet left the team camp, he has not been able to put any pressure on the toe and his availability for the remainder of the match is doubtful. Furthermore, he has also been ruled out of the final Test at the Oval in London.


"He is ruled out for the next six weeks. A cover will be called in and it is likely to be Ishan Kishan," a BCCI source told PTI.

However, the BCCI said that Pant will bat if necessary and that Dhuv Jurel will keep the wickets in the ongoing match.

The injury is an addition to the growing list of concerns. Fast bowlers Akash Deep (groin) and Arshdeep Singh (finger) were both ruled out ahead of the match, leading to a debut for Anshul Kamboj. Nitish Kumar Reddy was also ruled out of the series after a knee injury.

Pant had also hurt his finger in the previous Test at Lord's, with Dhruv Jurel keeping the wickets in both innings. India ended Day 1 at 264/4 with Ravindra Jadeja batting with Shardul Thakur as India look to bounce back after being 2-1 down in the five-match Test series.