Rishabh Pant's courageous return to the crease on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, after sustaining a painful injury on Day 1, has sparked a mix of reactions within the cricketing fraternity. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was struck on his right foot by a Chris Woakes delivery while attempting a reverse sweep, leading to visible swelling and bleeding. Initial assessments and scans suggested a potential metatarsal fracture, casting doubt on his further participation in the match and the series.
Despite the injury and the discomfort it caused, Pant emerged from the pavilion after Shardul Thakur's dismissal, hobbling his way to the crease to resume his innings. The crowd at Old Trafford erupted in applause, acknowledging his bravery and commitment to the team. Pant went on to score a valiant half-century, contributing crucial runs to India's first-innings total. He was eventually dismissed for 54, after facing 69 deliveries, by Jofra Archer.
However, not everyone was impressed by Pant's resilience. Former England cricketer David Lloyd, speaking on talkSPORT Cricket, revealed that a "consensus" in the 'legends lounge' at Old Trafford was that Pant was "milking his injury". Lloyd stated that some individuals even suggested that Pant should have been "timed out" for allegedly exaggerating the extent of his injury.
Lloyd's comments have ignited a controversy, with fans and experts expressing differing opinions on Pant's conduct. Some have criticized Lloyd for his unsympathetic remarks, pointing out that Pant's pain was evident and that he showed great courage to bat despite the injury. Others have supported Lloyd's viewpoint, suggesting that Pant may have indeed been exaggerating his discomfort to gain sympathy or slow down the game.
Adding to the discussion, former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has also weighed in on Pant's injury, albeit from a different angle. Boycott, while acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the injury, placed the blame squarely on Pant himself. He criticized Pant's decision to attempt a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes, arguing that the shot was unnecessary given India's comfortable position in the game at the time. Boycott stated that Pant's "silly" shot selection was responsible for the injury and its subsequent impact on the Indian team.
The Pant injury incident has also reignited the debate surrounding the use of substitutes for injuries in Test cricket. Current regulations only permit substitutes for concussion-related injuries, leaving teams with limited options when players sustain other forms of injury. Lloyd voiced his support for allowing like-for-like substitutes for external injuries, particularly when a player is ruled out for an extended period. He argued that such a change would ensure a fairer contest, preventing teams from being disadvantaged due to injuries to key players.
Amidst the controversy, several cricket legends have expressed their concern for Pant's well-being and wished him a speedy recovery. Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, acknowledged the significance of Pant's injury and hoped for his swift return, stating that "This game needs Pant". Stuart Broad echoed Hussain's sentiments, praising Pant's entertaining style of play and expressing hope that the injury was not too serious.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant would not be keeping wicket for the remainder of the Test, with Dhruv Jurel taking over the duties. The BCCI also stated that Pant would be available to bat as per team requirements. As of July 25, 2025, Pant is unlikely to participate in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval.
