Rishabh Pant miracle recovery from foot injury, update, scorecard

Rishabh Pant was told to rest for six weeks but instead made a miraculous recovery to play in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford despite suffering a serious foot injury.

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Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61 in India’s stumps total of 264-4 and was at the other end when Pant was injured, said the left-hander “was in a lot of pain” with Sky Sports later reporting Pant had suffered a fractured metatarsal and was instructed to rest for six weeks. Instead, Pant braved the pain barrier as he hobbled out to bat for India.

“This is quite remarkable, good for him because he is obviously still in great discomfort,” Ian Ward said on Sky Sports.

A Board of Control for Cricket in India statement on Thursday confirmed Pant was unfit to keep wicket but would be available to bat if required.

After Shardul Thakur fell for 41, with India 314-6 in their first innings, Pant slowly made his way down the dressing room steps and out into the middle.

Runners are no longer allowed in international cricket.

On Thursday he first faced England captain Ben Stokes, prodding tentatively at a wide delivery.

The left-hander was then comprehensively beaten by the next delivery. Rain stopped play about 10 minutes before lunch in Manchester, with Pant 39 not out in India’s total of 321-6.

Jaiswal's bat SHATTERS in fiery opening | 01:45

Pant’s dashing display on Wednesday was cut short when, on 37, the wicketkeeper inside-edged an audacious reverse sweep off Chris Woakes’ yorker on to his right boot.

When Pant took off his boot, he revealed a foot that became increasingly bruised and swollen as he received lengthy on-field treatment from team medical staff.

Pant, who has scored 462 runs this series at a superb average of 77, was taken off the field on a buggy in evident pain.

England left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, who marked his first Test in eight years with the key wicket of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58, previously said he feared Pant would be ruled out of the rest of this match.

“Our thoughts are with him, it didn’t look a great injury so I hope he’s alright,” Dawson said.

“He’s obviously a very good player but I can’t see him taking much more part in this game.”

Dawson admitted he had given up on a Test recall before Shoaib Bashir’s series-ending finger injury during England’s dramatic 22-run win over India in last week’s thrilling clash at Lord’s paved the way for his return.

The 35-year-old Dawson responded with 1-45 in 15 overs after having Jaiswal caught at slip for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days since dismissing now retired South Africa batsman Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge.

“I’ve said to a few people that the age I’m at, I thought Test cricket was gone,” Dawson said.

“To be back involved is really cool and I’ve got to try and enjoy each day that I get.

“I do feel I’m a better bowler than what I was a few years ago.

“Hopefully I’ll get a couple more. It’s one wicket, I’ve done nothing special.”

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