Why Is Rishabh Pant Not Keeping Wickets in the 4th Test?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant is sidelined from wicket-keeping due to a foot injury.
- Dhruv Jurel steps in as the wicket-keeper.
- Pant is available to bat despite the injury.
- The injury occurred during the first day of the Test.
- Pant is expected to miss at least six weeks of play.
Manchester, July 24 (NationPress) India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant will not be taking on wicket-keeping responsibilities in the current fourth Test against England at Old Trafford due to a right foot injury. However, he is ready to bat as needed by the team, as stated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Pant initially did not appear with the team before Day Two's play but later arrived at the ground wearing a moonboot on his right foot. The BCCI confirmed that Dhruv Jurel will step in as the wicket-keeper during Pant's absence. Notably, Jurel had taken over as the substitute keeper at Lord’s, when Pant was sidelined due to a left index finger injury.
“Rishabh Pant, who suffered an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not perform wicket-keeping duties for the rest of the match. Dhruv Jurel will take on the role of wicket-keeper. Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat as per team requirements,” the BCCI announced in an official statement on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, IANS reported that Pant expressed a desire to bat for India in the ongoing match, despite enduring pain and receiving multiple injections in his injured right foot. The injury occurred during the 68th over of India’s innings on Day One when he attempted a premeditated reverse sweep against seam bowler Chris Woakes. The ball struck his right boot after taking an inside edge, leading to significant swelling and some bleeding, rendering Pant unable to bear weight on his injured foot.
Ultimately, a medical buggy transported a visibly pained Pant off the field, as he retired hurt after scoring 37 runs off 48 balls, having contributed to a partnership of 72 runs with B. Sai Sudharsan. Subsequent scans revealed that Pant sustained a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, with an estimated recovery period of at least six weeks, thus ruling him out of the upcoming fifth Test at The Oval, which starts on July 31.