Manchester, July 23, 2025 – In a series already defined by bruises, breakdowns, and brave comebacks, Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford served up another chapter of high drama. India’s vice-captain and dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt due to a serious foot injury, dealing a psychological and tactical blow to the Indian side. And yet, despite this setback, India emerged with their noses ahead, closing the day at 264 for 4, riding on Sai Sudharsan’s elegant 61 and a gritty lower-order stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur.
Pant’s Knock: Style Meets Setback
Pant had looked his usual vibrant self at the crease. Walking in after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, the left-hander immediately shifted gears, blending cheeky sweeps with disdainful drives. By the 68th over, he had already notched up a fluent 37 off 48 deliveries, peppered with five crisp boundaries. He looked set for another quintessential Pant special—unpredictable yet match-defining.
But then came the 68th over—a moment that turned cheers into gasps. Facing Chris Woakes, Pant attempted a reverse sweep, a shot he’s mastered over the years. Unfortunately, he inside-edged the delivery onto his right boot, which bore the full impact of the blow.
England appealed for LBW and reviewed the on-field not-out decision. UltraEdge showed a clear inside edge, ruling out any danger of dismissal. But attention quickly shifted from the review screen to the man on the ground. Pant was visibly in pain. He took off his gloves, hopping in place, wincing. His movements were erratic, his body language—distressed.
The Moment of Concern: What Happened Next
As he hobbled around the crease, medical staff rushed onto the field. What initially appeared to be a routine blow quickly escalated in seriousness. The umpires called for a drinks break as Pant sat down and removed his pads. His right sock and boot were taken off, revealing both swelling and a blood spot—an ominous sight for any cricketer, let alone one who’s had a fair share of injury woes in recent months.
With the crowd rising in applause, Pant was wheeled off the field in a buggy, unable to put any weight on his injured foot. The dressing room looked stunned, with coach Rahul Dravid and support staff visibly worried. India’s momentum had taken a massive jolt.
Injury Timeline: A Season of Survival for Pant
This incident marks yet another chapter in Rishabh Pant’s grueling journey through injuries. Just earlier in the series, he was sidelined from wicketkeeping duties due to a finger injury sustained during the Lord’s Test. That injury had pushed KL Rahul to keep wickets temporarily.
Pant’s career has frequently flirted with pain. From his car accident in 2022 to recurring niggles that sidelined him from important tours, the 27-year-old has had to continually adapt, evolve, and recover. And yet, time and again, he has returned stronger—mentally tougher, technically sharper, and emotionally more charged.
But this latest injury—one that halted a confident innings—comes at a crucial juncture. India trail 1–2 in the five-match series, and this Test is effectively a must-win if they hope to level and eventually clinch the historic Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy.
India’s Resilience: Sai Sudharsan Shines Bright
Despite the emotional toll of Pant’s exit, India didn’t wilt. Instead, the young brigade stepped up. Sai Sudharsan, making only his third Test appearance, carried forward his quiet revolution in Indian cricket. The left-hander showed poise beyond his years, especially against the moving ball under cloudy Manchester skies.
Sudharsan compiled a gritty 61 off 112 balls, combining defense with elegant drives, particularly through cover. His footwork against spin and confidence facing Mark Wood’s pace stood out. While he eventually fell to a cunning delivery from Ben Stokes, his innings laid the foundation for a strong total.
This wasn’t just a coming-of-age knock—it was a statement that the next generation is ready, even amid adversity.
The Jadeja-Thakur Wall: Blocking Out the Blues
After Sudharsan’s dismissal and Pant’s retirement, there was a real danger of collapse. But the lower middle-order duo of Ravindra Jadeja (19)* and Shardul Thakur (19)* played smart, risk-free cricket to see off the remaining overs. Their unbeaten 36-run stand for the fifth wicket ensured that India didn’t lose another wicket late in the day—a pattern that has cost them dearly in this series.
Jadeja, with his steely temperament and compact technique, absorbed pressure without going into a shell. Thakur, ever the useful lower-order contributor, looked composed in defense and didn’t shy away from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
As they walked off at stumps, there was a shared sigh of relief in the Indian camp. They had ended Day 1 not just standing but perhaps slightly ahead in the game.
Match Summary – 4th Test, Day 1 at Old Trafford
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India: 264/4 in 86 overs
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Sai Sudharsan: 61 (112)
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Rishabh Pant: 37 (48) – retired hurt*
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Rohit Sharma: 45 (88)
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Ben Stokes: 2/49
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Chris Woakes: 1/52
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Stumps: Ravindra Jadeja 19 & Shardul Thakur 19**
What Does Pant’s Injury Mean for India?
Pant’s presence in the XI offers dual advantages: explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping. With his injury, India now face key decisions.
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Will Pant return to bat in the second innings? If the swelling worsens, it could rule him out for the remainder of the Test.
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Who will take the gloves? KL Rahul is the obvious choice, but his back issues could limit his availability behind the stumps. India may be forced to ask Sai Sudharsan or even Shubman Gill to don the gloves temporarily—a compromise at best.
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Middle-order vulnerability: If Pant can’t bat again, India’s middle-to-lower order will carry extra pressure. Jadeja and Thakur will have to shoulder added responsibility, and any early wickets on Day 2 could expose the tail prematurely.
Series Context: Tension at Boiling Point
This series has had it all—controversial umpiring calls, rain delays, emotional post-match scenes, and unexpected comebacks. With England leading 2–1, India are in a do-or-die scenario.
Pant’s injury has added more fuel to a Test already teetering on the edge of drama. It’s not just a blow to India’s batting but also to their team morale. However, as history has often shown, this Indian side—especially under Rohit Sharma—thrives when cornered.
Remember Brisbane 2021? A half-fit Pant had turned into a national hero by smashing 89* in the fourth innings to win the Test. The stakes now aren’t dissimilar. If he does return later in the match, expect the crowd to erupt with every step he takes.
Fan Reactions & Tributes
The sight of Pant being wheeled off drew immediate emotional outpouring on social media:
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Kevin Pietersen tweeted: “Gutted to see Pant hurt. One of the most exciting players in world cricket. Hope it’s not serious. #ENGvIND”
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Yuvraj Singh posted on Instagram: “Panja warrior will bounce back. Heal fast, Rishabh.”
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Fans at Old Trafford gave a standing ovation—a rare moment of mutual respect in a fiercely contested series.
Final Thoughts: Hope in Uncertainty
Rishabh Pant’s injury might have cast a shadow on India’s first day at Old Trafford, but it also highlighted the depth and determination in the squad. Sudharsan’s maturity, Jadeja’s composure, and Thakur’s resilience speak volumes of India’s bench strength and belief.
As Day 2 looms, India must consolidate, accelerate, and prepare contingency plans—especially if Pant’s absence becomes long-term. England, buoyed by the return of form for Stokes and Woakes, will be sniffing an opportunity.
But if there’s one thing this Indian team has mastered in recent years, it’s turning crisis into opportunity—and silence into celebration.
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