India vice-captain Rishabh Pant finally broke the silence after being ruled out of the ongoing Test series against England due to a foot fracture, which he suffered in the fourth Manchester Test. The southpaw was batting superbly before he tried to reverse sweep a Chris Woakes delivery that missed his bat and landed on his right foot. While the wicketkeeper-batter showed great courage in coming out to bat on Day two of the Manchester Test and scored a fifty, he won't take further participation in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Pant said he will begin the rehab procedure once his fracture heals completely.
As of now, the 27-year-old has been advised six weeks of rest, and a further call will be taken after he does light to heavy training. In a heartfelt post on social media, the southpaw took to X to thank fans and supporters for showing continuous support and said playing for India has always been a proud moment for him.
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"Appreciate all the love and good wishes coming my way. It's been a real source of strength. I will begin rehab once my fracture heals and I am slowly settling into the process. Staying patient, following the routines, and giving it my 100 percent," Pant wrote in a statement on X.
"Playing for my country has always been the proudest moment of my life. Can't wait to be back doing what I love," he added.
Narayan Jagadeeshan added to the squad as replacement player for Rishabh Pant
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday, July 27, officially confirmed Naryan Jagadeeshan as a replacement player for Rishabh Pant. The Tamil Nadu (TN) player has finally been rewarded for his consistent showing in first-class cricket. The final and fifth Test will begin on Thursday, July 31, at the Oval.
“The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his progress, and the team wishes him a speedy recovery,” the board said in its official statement.
Also read: IND vs ENG: CSK Star Jamie Overton Joins England Squad for Fifth Test
It remains to be seen if Jagadeeshan makes his debut, as India already has a backup wicketkeeper-batter in Dhruv Jurel, who also kept wickets in the third and fourth Tests.
