Pant’s Injury Halts Play on Day 1

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter for India, faced a significant setback on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England in Manchester. The incident occurred during the final session when Pant attempted a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, resulting in a painful blow to his boot. Despite a loud appeal for LBW, the decision was not out. However, the impact left Pant grimacing in pain, requiring immediate medical attention. Blood was visibly seeping from his right foot, which showed considerable swelling.

Ambulance Called as Pant Struggles to Walk

The severity of Pant’s injury became evident as he struggled to put weight on his foot. An ambulance was called to transport him off the field, highlighting the seriousness of his condition. This marked Pant’s second injury in the series; he had previously bruised his finger while keeping wickets during the third Test at Lord’s, necessitating Dhruv Jurel to substitute as wicketkeeper.

Pant’s Remarkable Performance in the Series

Despite these setbacks, Pant has been a standout performer in the series. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer with 425 runs across six innings, boasting an impressive average of 70.83. His achievements include two centuries and two fifties, with his highest score being 134. Notably, both centuries were scored during the first Test at Leeds, making him the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this feat.

Breaking Records and Setting Milestones

Pant’s exceptional performance has seen him surpass several records. He has overtaken MS Dhoni for most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper and has become Asia’s most successful wicketkeeper-batter in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). Additionally, he has surpassed Dhoni for most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter in England.

Potential to Join Elite Company

With his current form, Pant is on track to join an elite group of wicketkeeper-batters who have scored over 500 runs in a bilateral Test series. This exclusive club includes DT Lindsay of South Africa and Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower. A strong performance in Manchester could see Pant etch his name alongside these legends.