India were dealt a severe blow on Day 1 of the fourth Test as wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant retired hurt on 37 after sustaining a painful foot injury, potentially ruling him out for the remainder of the series. With India now at 264/4 at stumps after the opening day at Old Trafford, the team awaits scan results to determine the extent of the damage, as their campaign hangs in the balance.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pant’s injury came in dramatic fashion when attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. UltraEdge confirmed a faint inside edge onto his right boot before it struck his foot. After being taken off in a golf cart, India’s innings stalled. Pant’s departure not only removed a key momentum-shifter — he had scored 462 runs in the series at an average of 77 — but also robbed India of their premier wicketkeeper-batter.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik described the concern starkly: “How big a loss is this for the Test, for India and in general, the series as well, if he doesn’t come back to play?”Former England captain Michael Vaughan backed the sentiment, suggesting Pant’s absence could significantly tilt the game: “If Rishabh’s going to be out for the match, to play against England with only 10 batters is a massive concern. I think missing Pant gives England about a 25% advantage in terms of winning this Test match.”Vaughan went further, calling for a change in policy: “If he’s injured and likely to miss the rest of the Test, why can’t we have a substitute? We have concussion subs — why not for a broken foot?”
He also issued a warning on the total India would need to post: “India will need at least 350, and more likely 400, to put England under pressure here. Without Pant, that becomes even more difficult.”Trailing 1–2 overall, India must secure a win at Old Trafford — a ground they’ve never conquered in nine previous attempts — to keep their series aspirations alive. Pant’s looming absence has forced the team to contemplate reworking their strategy.
