The drama surrounding the India-England Test series took another twist on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford when Rishabh Pant retired hurt after injuring his right foot. The blow was sustained while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes.
It forced India's vice-captain to leave the field in clear pain - a moment that reignited debate around Test cricket's substitution rules. As Pant was taken for scans, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a strong case for allowing substitutions in Test cricket for clear, non-concussion injuries.
His comments came on Test Match Special where he argued that a series of such intensity should not be reduced to an uneven contest just because of bad luck.
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Michael Vaughan calls for Test cricket substitutions after Rishabh Pant injury
Vaughan was firm in his belief that the absence of a substitution rule for visible, serious injuries creates an unfair imbalance - especially in close-fought contests like this series.
"I don’t like the fact that we've got four days left in the game.. where we are going to have ten versus eleven. Once they brought in concussion subs, I was crying out, saying, 'Well, just have substitutions in the first innings of a game,'" said Vaughan.
He clarified he wouldn't support substitutions in the second innings - fearing misuse, but suggested clear-cut cases like broken bones should qualify for replacements.
"If it's clear and obvious - when someone breaks a hand or a foot or ruptures a calf, it's so evident.. I think it's very clear to me: you should be allowed a sub," he concluded.
More: Ricky Ponting fears Rishabh Pant injury could be serious - 'Immediate swelling is a worry'
Alastair Cook was not fully on board. He raised a counterpoint about how subjective injuries can be - especially when scans reveal no fracture.
"Say we've just seen Pant walk off. And then it turns out it's not broken - it's just a bruise. Does he have to play on then?" Cook questioned.
Cook argued that injuries like bruises can lead to unclear decisions about eligibility for substitution.
What happened to Rishabh Pant?
Pant was on 37 off 48 balls when he was struck. He received immediate attention on the field but couldn't continue.
Blood was seen on his right foot which had started to swell. He was eventually transported via a golf-cart ambulance to the hospital after a brief stop at the ground's medical facility.
Rishabh Pant is driven off the field of play after suffering some severe swelling on his right foot and Ravindra Jadeja walks out to the middle... 🩹 pic.twitter.com/vJlu5CABQ8
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 23, 2025
Woakes' delivery hit Pant flush on the toe; it initially drew an LBW appeal from England, but a thin inside edge saved him. However, the damage to the injury was already done.
This was Pant's second injury of the series, having already suffered a finger bruise during the third Test at Lord's. India now await medical reports that could shape the course of the remaining match and perhaps reignite the conversation around substitution rules in red-ball cricket.