Rishabh Pant Ruled Out of Test Series with Toe Fracture

Manchester, Jul 24 (PTI): India faces another setback in their ongoing Test series against England as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out after fracturing his toe on the first day of the fourth Test.

The incident occurred when the 27-year-old attempted a reverse sweep against England pacer Chris Woakes, leading to a blow on his right foot. Pant, who retired hurt at 37, underwent scans that confirmed the injury.

"He is ruled out for the next six weeks. Ishan Kishan will be called in as cover," revealed a BCCI source to PTI.

This adds to India's mounting injury concerns, with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy already out due to a knee problem and pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh sidelined by a groin niggle and a finger injury, respectively.

Pant's exit exacerbates the challenges for India, who are currently trailing 1-2 in the series. Blood was seen seeping from Pant's right foot along with considerable swelling in the affected area.

Ishan Kishan, having recently participated in two County matches for Nottinghamshire, is expected to step in. Although a part of the India A squad that faced the England Lions ahead of the series, the 26-year-old did not play in those games.

Options remain for the team management, including KL Rahul, who has not kept wickets since the South Africa tour in the 2023-24 season. Dhruv Jurel, another wicketkeeper, was also not selected for the current match.

This marks Pant's second injury in the series; he previously bruised his finger while keeping in the third Test at Lord's, which prevented him from wicketkeeping during England's second inning.

Pant only recently made his return to international cricket after a severe car accident in 2022.