Manchester, July 24
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant won’t keep wickets in the ongoing fourth Test against England at Old Trafford because of a right foot injury, but he’s available to bat as per the team’s requirements, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Pant initially didn’t join the team ahead of Day Two’s play, and later came to the ground with a moonboot on his right foot. The BCCI also said Dhruv Jurel will take up wicket-keeping duties in Pant’s absence. Incidentally, at Lord’s, Jurel filled in as the substitute keeper after a left index finger injury kept Pant out of keeping duties.
“Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume 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,” said the BCCI in an official update on Thursday.
Eventually, an ambulance buggy resembling a golf cart took a grimacing Pant off the field, as he retired hurt on 37 off 48 balls, after having a partnership worth 72 runs with B. Sai Sudharsan. Scans later revealed that Pant has sustained a fracture on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, with the recovery period being a minimum of six weeks, which also rules him out of the fifth Test at The Oval starting on July 31.