%20(1).jpg "Rishabh Pant") |
| Rishabh Pant |
In a concerning development for Team India, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant will not be donning the gloves for the remainder of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. The BCCI confirmed late Wednesday that Pant, who took a painful blow to his right foot on Day 1, has been ruled out of fielding duties — though he remains available to bat if needed.
Quick Highlights
The injury occurred during India’s first innings when Pant attempted a reverse sweep off England pacer Chris Woakes in the 68th over. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off his bat and struck his right boot with force. Pant immediately looked uncomfortable, and after some on-field treatment, he was escorted off by the physio.
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| Rishabh Pant |
The BCCI later released a statement, saying,
“Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match.”
What Really Happened
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Midway through Day 1: Pant was struck on the foot while batting, just as India was beginning to build momentum.
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On-field Treatment: Team physio quickly assessed the injury, and Pant left the field soon after.
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Scans Conducted: Though details of the report weren’t made public, the injury was serious enough to sideline him from wicket-keeping.
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Dhruv Jurel Steps In: The young keeper will take over behind the stumps for the rest of the match.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time India has had to deal with such mid-match adjustments during the series.
Official Statements
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Rishabh Pant: A vital part of India’s batting unit, Pant is currently the second-highest run-getter in the series with 462 runs from seven innings, including two centuries.
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Dhruv Jurel: Now shouldering wicket-keeping responsibilities, the youngster faces a trial by fire in one of the most high-pressure Tests of the series.
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Team India Management: Has chosen to play it safe, allowing Pant to rest while still being available to contribute with the bat.
Impact & Reactions
The timing couldn’t have been worse for India. Already dealing with injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Akash Deep, Pant’s setback adds to the growing list of fitness concerns. His absence behind the stumps is a blow — especially in English conditions, where quick reflexes and sharp glovework are crucial.
What’s more, the team now leans even more heavily on players like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma to anchor both ends of the innings and maintain composure on the field.
Public Response / Social Media Buzz
The update triggered a wave of reactions across social media:
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Many fans expressed worry, sharing clips of the incident and questioning the frequency of injuries in the Indian squad.
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Some praised the decision to rest Pant’s foot while still keeping his batting option open — calling it a smart move in a tightly contested series.
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Hashtags like #RishabhPant, #ManchesterTest, and #TeamIndia began trending by evening.
One fan posted, “India’s luck with injuries continues to be awful. Pant out of keeping? That’s massive.” Another quipped, “Let Jurel shine — could be a star in the making!”
What Happens Next?
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Pant’s Availability: He remains in the squad and is expected to bat if required, depending on how the match unfolds.
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Medical Monitoring: The team’s medical staff will be evaluating his recovery over the next two days, keeping the final Test at The Oval in mind.
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Team Strategy: With Dhruv Jurel stepping up, India will be hoping for a smooth transition — both in terms of keeping and morale.
Roz News 24 Analysis
This isn’t just about one player sitting out — it’s a reminder of how fragile even elite athletes can be during a high-intensity series. Pant, known for his fearless strokeplay and vocal energy behind the stumps, brings more than just technical skill. His presence lifts the team’s spirit, especially during tight sessions.
India will need to dig deep now. With the series still alive and England up 2-1, the margin for error is razor-thin. Jurel has a big opportunity to prove his mettle, while Pant’s possible appearance with the bat could still tilt the balance in India’s favor.
Cricket, after all, often turns on moments — and Pant has made a career of seizing those.