Rishabh Pant Injured Mid-Innings as India Are Hit with New Fitness Issues on First Day

Rishabh Pant was forced to retire mid-innings due to a painful foot injury on the first day of the fourth Test match against England. The mishap accumulated India's long list of injury concerns in this pressure-cooker series in which England are leading two matches to one. Pant was batting solidly and was well-set for a big innings when the untimely injury befell him. Forcing him to retreat hurt, it signaled another worrying injury concern for India.

The incident occurred in the 68th over when Chris Woakes delivered a full ball. Pant attempted a reverse sweep which he had thought through beforehand but missed the ball and it hit the side of his right boot. Although England appealed LBW and even reviewed the decision the replays revealed a clear inside edge of Pant's bat. But even before the third umpire had a chance to make a call it was evident that something had gone amiss. Pant seemed to be in acute pain as soon as the impact occurred. He removed his gloves and barely managed to walk towards help from the Indian team's physio. He was visibly struggling and in no position to put any weight on the mangled foot.

The physio removed Pant's pads socks and the boot off his right foot to have a look at the damage. There was clear evidence of injury in the form of swelling and even a blood patch on the outside of the foot. The news did not look good and shortly after a buggy was summoned onto the field to remove Pant. A fresh batter was also summoned in from the dressing room. The injury had not only halted India's batting rhythm but also introduced very serious doubts about Pant's availability for the rest of the game or even the series.

At the time of his injury, Pant was sidelined on 37 runs off 48 balls. He had appeared sharp and confident in his strokes having established a crucial 72-run stand with Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan topped the run-scorers with a gritty 61 and he was also present at the other end when Pant fell. Following the match Sudharsan informed that Pant was in pain and the team was waiting for the scan reports to know better. He confirmed that if Pant is eliminated it would be a huge setback for the side since he was not only batting well but is also the important middle-order batsman for the team. However, he further added that the team would attempt to deal with the situation with the assistance of the available batters and all-rounders.

Pant's unexpected departure was a tremendous setback especially as he had recently recovered from another injury. In the last Test at Lord's he had got a finger injury which saw him not being able to keep wickets. Just as he was getting back to his form and fitness this new blow struck. It's the second successive Test match that he has been struck by injury at the very start of the game. The timing is poor for Team India.

It's compounded further by the general injury issue in the Indian team. Even before the game began pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh were injured out of action owing to a groin strain and finger injury respectively. This compelled India to introduce Anshul Kamboj who made his Test debut in this game. With Pant also uncertain now the team management has a genuine task on their hands to handle resources and ensure equilibrium in the playing eleven.

Even with all these challenges in the way India were able to have a satisfactory first day with the bat. After being asked to bat by England they had reached 212 for 3 when Pant retired. They were 264 for 4 at stumps which indicates that the team was able to regain some control after the mishap. Nevertheless the long term effect of Pant's injury can have an impact not only on this Test match but on the chances of the team in the remaining series too. Pant provides stability to the middle order and can turn a game with his attacking strokeplay and quick thinking. Losing a player of his caliber at such a vital juncture of the series is a setback.

The fans and team now await with bated breath updates from the hospital. The Indian medical staff is keeping an anxious eye on Pant's condition and more news is awaited after his scan reports are in. If the injury is found to be serious it could not only keep him out of the current match but also the remainder of the series which would be a huge setback to India's chances of levelling or winning the series.

Pant's value to the team extends well beyond his batting. As vice-captain and wicketkeeper, his presence in the field brings energy leadership and equilibrium to the team. His absence will be deeply felt and the team will have to come up with solid substitutes if he is not back in time.

Injuries are never nice but their effect is even greater when they fall upon important players during the middle of a hard series. India have already undergone several changes because of fitness concerns and Pant's injury is the newest addition to the ever-longer list. Whether quickly recovered or not the team's character and depth will be put to test in the days to come.

As the fourth Test goes on India will be hoping that their batsmen play a good game and the medical staff provides some good news about Rishabh Pant. Till then all is being watched in terms of his comeback as fans teammates and coaches wait with hope.