Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has voiced serious concern over Rishabh Pant’s fitness after the Indian wicketkeeper-batter was forced to retire hurt on the opening day of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford. The incident occurred when Pant was struck on his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off England pacer Chris Woakes, prompting immediate medical attention and leaving the Indian dressing room on edge.
Pant, who was looking in good touch with 37 runs off 48 deliveries, inside-edged a full-length delivery from Woakes onto his right toe. Although England initially appealed for an LBW, the decision was overturned on review after replays confirmed a faint inside edge. Despite surviving the dismissal, Pant was clearly in distress. He dropped to the ground in visible pain, prompting the Indian medical team to rush onto the field. Soon after, he was taken off in a golf cart marked as an ambulance.
Visible signs of blood and significant swelling around the injured area intensified concerns. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later issued an official statement confirming that Pant had been taken for scans and that the medical team was closely monitoring his progress. “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,” read the BCCI statement.
Ricky Ponting, who has coached Pant at Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, was visibly unsettled by the injury. Speaking on Sky Sports, Ponting noted the seriousness of the situation. “He hardly put his foot on the ground. He rolled around for six to eight minutes before the golf cart came in. The immediate swelling was the worry for me,” Ponting said. “I’ve had a metatarsal injury myself and they’re small, fragile bones. The fact that he couldn’t put any weight on it doesn’t look good at all. If it’s broken, he will be out of the game. If it’s not, then they’ll do everything they can to get him back out there. Hopefully, he doesn’t play any more reverse sweeps.”
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This marks Pant’s second injury in the ongoing series. During the third Test at Lord’s, he suffered a bruised finger while keeping wicket, forcing him to hand over the gloves in England’s second innings. Sai Sudharsan, who made an impressive debut with a calm and collected 61, acknowledged the potential consequences of Pant’s absence from the remainder of the series. “If Pant is ruled out of the series, we will definitely face severe consequences,” Sudharsan commented.
At stumps on Day 1, India stood at 264 for 4, with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur unbeaten at the crease. While India will take heart from a strong start, Ponting stressed the importance of Pant’s role in the squad and how his absence could impact the team’s overall strategy.
“Thinking about the situation of the game as well, Shardul has come out and played nicely, but with the way Rishabh plays and the momentum he brings to the Indian team, that is what they will potentially miss the most. Someone who can put the pressure on the opposition,” Ponting said. “For Indian fans, keep fingers crossed and hope it is not as serious as it looks. If he is out of the remainder of the game, then that leaves a massive dent on India’s chance – not only in this game but in the rest of the series.”
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