New Delhi: India has been hit with a major blow in the middle of the crucial fourth Test of the series as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Pant got injured on Day 1 of the Manchester Test and was carried off the ground in a golf cart after suffering a foot injury while trying to reverse sweep Chris Woakes.
As per BCCI sources, he has been advised to take rest for at least six weeks, which means that he will not be available for the ongoing Test or the final match of the series. The report has further stated that he has sustained a right foot fracture, which would keep him out for six weeks.
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There has been no official statement from the BCCI yet, but team sources have indicated that the management is already exploring replacement options.
Who could replace him?
The situation makes it obvious that Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets in place of Pant for the remainder of the fourth Test. However, he won’t be able to bat, which leaves India with a shortage of batters.
For the fifth Test against England at the Kennington Oval, Ishan Kishan is likely to come in and fill Pant’s shoes. The final match of the series will be played from July 31 to August 4.
As per PTI, “He is ruled out for the next six weeks. A cover will be called in and it is likely to be Ishan Kishan.”
The list of injured players in the Indian camp has increased with Pant’s addition, as Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh are already sidelined due to injuries. The Men in Blue are already trailing 1-2 in the series, and a win in Manchester is their only hope, which has now been hit with a challenge after Pant’s injury.