Rishabh Pant’s toe injury stood out during the fourth Test between England and India in Manchester. He got hurt on Day 1 and had to leave the field in a medical cart. It looked like his tour was over, but the 27-year-old showed a lot of resolve by returning to bat on Day 2.
He’s likely out for the fifth Test, but that didn’t stop him from adding 17 runs to his Day 1 score of 37 and reaching his half-century. With that, Pant broke MS Dhoni’s record for the most 50+ scores by a visiting wicket-keeper in SENA countries. The former India captain had 14, but Pant passed that in Manchester.
Here’s a list of most 50+ scores as a designated wicket-keeper in Test Cricket at SENA countries as a visiting batter:
Rishabh Pant – 14
MS Dhoni – 13
John Waite – 12
Adam Gilchrist – 11
Denesh Ramdin – 10
Reports say Pant has a fracture. The BCCI has confirmed that Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets for the match, while Pant will bat if he needs to. N Jagadeeshan will replace Pant for the fifth Test. Selectors first contacted Ishan Kishan, but he’s also injured.
Pant now has the same number of sixes as Virender Sehwag for India in Test cricket. Both have 90 sixes. Pant can beat that in the next innings, if he bats, or in the upcoming home season.