Is Rishabh Pant Out of the Fourth Test with a Fractured Toe?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant out of fourth Test due to fractured toe.
- Six weeks of recovery recommended for Pant.
- Ishan Kishan expected to step in as replacement.
- Pant's injury occurred during an attempt at a reverse sweep.
- India's batting lineup must adapt to this significant loss.
Manchester, July 24 (NationPress) In a significant setback for India's aspirations to rebound in the series, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been officially ruled out of the ongoing fourth Test against England due to a fractured toe sustained on the first day.
Pant, who had to retire hurt while on 37 after being struck on the right toe by Chris Woakes during the final session, has been prescribed a six-week recovery period, as per reports.
As a replacement, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is expected to be included for the concluding Test of the series at The Oval in London.
During the 68th over of India’s innings, Pant attempted a premeditated reverse sweep off seamer Woakes but missed, resulting in the ball hitting his right boot after deflecting off his inside edge.
The swelling on his foot resembled a table tennis ball, accompanied by some bleeding, rendering Pant unable to bear weight on his injured foot. Ultimately, an ambulance buggy, similar to a golf cart, transported a visibly pained Pant off the field as he retired hurt on 37 runs off 48 balls, following a partnership of 72 runs with B. Sai Sudharsan.
Post-match, Sudharsan disclosed that it was a substantial impact and Pant was in considerable discomfort. He stated, "He was in a lot of pain, definitely, but they have gone for scans; we will get to know overnight, probably get the information tomorrow. Obviously, because he was batting really well today as well. So, it will definitely have consequences."
He added, "However, the batters currently at the crease, along with a few all-rounders, will strive to perform well and compensate for this loss. I mean, I felt the dismissal had a bit more grip and bounce from the pavilion, and indeed several balls were bouncing more than expected from that end, so we can anticipate more of this in the coming days."
At stumps, India stood at 264/4, with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur both batting on identical scores of 19.