India vs England fourth Test, Day Two: First hour crucial with new ball due and Pant injury cloud

Dubai: The fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford hangs in the balance after an eventful opening day ended on a sombre note for the visitors. Rishabh Pant, one of India’s standout performers this series, was forced to retire hurt after a painful blow to his foot — casting serious doubt over his participation in the remainder of the match and, potentially, the rest of the series.

India finished Day 1 on 264 for 4, but the momentum they had built through half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) was dented by three wickets in the second session, Pant’s injury and the looming threat of the second new ball. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (19 not out) and Shardul Thakur (19 not out) will resume batting on Thursday under cloudy skies, with England eyeing early breakthroughs in the crucial first hour.

Pant, who had raced to 37 off 48 balls with trademark aggression, inside-edged a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes onto his right boot. He was in visible agony and had to be stretchered off the field on a buggy. The swelling was immediate, and according to teammate Sai Sudharsan, there was also some bleeding.

“He was in a lot of pain definitely, but they’ve gone for scans. We’ll get to know overnight, probably tomorrow,” Sudharsan told reporters after stumps. “He was batting really well… if he doesn’t come back, it would definitely have consequences.”

Former England captain Michael Atherton echoed those sentiments, calling it a “massive blow” for India. “If Pant is out of the game, out of the series, that’s a massive blow for India. And that 264 for 4 becomes 264 for 5 with the new ball due,” he said on Sky Sports.

Pant’s numbers this series — 462 runs at an average of 77 — underline his importance. Earlier in the day, he reached a historic milestone, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter to score over 1,000 Test runs in an away country. In England alone, he now has 1,018 runs, eclipsing MS Dhoni’s record for an Indian gloveman.

England, meanwhile, were denied the new ball late on Day 1 due to poor light, after Jadeja told the umpires he was struggling to sight the ball. They’ll be eager to make immediate use of the second new ball under likely overcast conditions.

Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, making his first Test appearance in eight years, claimed the crucial wicket of Jaiswal and admitted Pant’s injury didn’t look promising. “Our thoughts are with him... I hope he’s alright,” Dawson said.

With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, Day 2 could prove pivotal — and much may depend on whether Pant is fit enough to return.