India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant sustained an injury after being hit on the right foot. Pant started off the Manchester Test pretty well. However, Pant went for an audacious reverse sweep off Chris Woakes’ yorker, which hit right on to his right boot. And, when the shoe was taken off, the foot was swollen and bruised as well.
“Just seeing his face, grimacing there. He has a pain threshold that’s very high, and for him to be grimacing in pain in that fashion makes it very serious. It can only get worse overnight,” Shastri said on Sky Sports. “When you get up in the morning, it can be really sore, no matter the amount of ice you put. He will be icing it through the night. Let’s hope it’s not a break or it’s not a crack.”
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However, Australian great Ricky Ponting, who worked with Rishabh Pant in the Indian Premier League with the Delhi Capitals, suspected a metatarsal injury, and feels Pant could be out for the entire game as well.
“He hardly put his foot on the ground. He rolled around for 6-8 minutes before the golf cart came in. The immediate swelling was the worry for me. I’ve had a metatarsal injury myself, and they’re small, fragile bones. The fact that he couldn’t put any weight on it doesn’t look good at all. If it’s broken, he will be out of the game. If it’s not, then they will do anything they can to get him back out there. Hopefully, he doesn’t play any more reverse sweeps,” he further added.
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“Thinking about the situation of the game as well, Shardul has come out and played nicely, but with the way Rishabh plays and the momentum he brings to the Indian team, that is what they will potentially miss the most. Someone who can put the pressure on the opposition,” said Ricky Ponting. “For Indian fans, keep fingers crossed and hope it is not as serious as it looks. If he is out of the remainder of the game, then that leaves a massive dent on India’s chance, not only in this game, but the remainder of the series.”
