India suffered a major injury scare on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford as Rishabh Pant was carried off the field after a painful blow to his right foot. Batting on 37, Pant was struck on the foot after an attempted reverse sweep off Chris Woakes ricocheted off his bat.
The swelling was immediate and with Pant unable to put any weight on his leg, he had to be taken off on a medical cart. It happened in the 69th over during a 72-run stand with debutant Sai Sudharsan.
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While England's lbw review was turned down, the bigger worry for India was clear: Pant looked in significant pain. There were visible signs of swelling and bleeding.
Ravindra Jadeja was called in to continue the innings as Pant retired hurt.
Can Rishabh Pant return to bat again in this match?
As per ICC’s playing conditions, Pant can return to bat later in the innings (if he is fit enough). Rule 25.4 states that a batter who retires hurt due to injury or illness is allowed to resume his innings at the fall of a wicket or if another batter retires.
"A batter may retire at any time during his innings when the ball is dead. The umpires, before allowing play to proceed, shall be informed of the reason for a batter retiring. If a batter retires because of illness, injury, or any other unavoidable cause, that batter is entitled to resume his innings," the rule says.
However, given the nature of the injury - what former coach Ravi Shastri described as "pretty serious" during live commentary, India might have to prepare for the possibility of Pant not returning. It's the second physical setback for Pant in this series, having also suffered a finger injury at Lord's.
Whether he can walk back out to bat in this Test will depend on how quickly the swelling reduces and the medical staff clears him to resume play.