‘It doesn’t look good at all’: Ricky Ponting fears serious injury as Rishabh Pant’s scans keep India on edge

India’s Rishabh Pant reacts in pain after taking a blow to the foot. (Getty Images)

India were left holding their breath on Wednesday as star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant hobbled off the field in visible agony after a painful blow to his right foot during Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting summed up the mood succinctly: “It doesn’t look good at all.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pant, batting fluently on 37, attempted a reverse sweep off a yorker from Chris Woakes and inside-edged the ball onto his right boot. What followed was a worrying sequence — Pant took off his shoe, revealed a badly swollen foot, and was visibly unable to stand. He rolled on the turf in pain for several minutes before being taken off on a buggy.

Rishabh Pant suffers right foot injury in India vs England Test; taken off in an ambulance

Ponting, speaking to Sky Sports, said the signs were ominous: “He hardly put his foot on the ground. He rolled around for 6-8 minutes before the golf cart came out. The immediate swelling was the worry for me. I’ve had a metatarsal injury myself, and they’re small, fragile bones. The fact he couldn’t put any weight on it — it doesn’t look good at all.”

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Pant’s absence could severely dent India’s chances, especially as they trail 1-2 in the five-match series.“The momentum he brings to the Indian team — that’s what they potentially miss the most,” Ponting added. “Someone who can break the game open and put pressure back on the opposition.”India’s Sai Sudharsan, who top-scored with 61, said Pant “was in a lot of pain” and confirmed he had gone for scans. “We’ll get to know overnight,” he added.

‘He was in a lot of pain’: Sai Sudharsan admits Rishabh Pant’s absence could hurt India

Former India coach Ravi Shastri echoed concerns about Pant’s absence shaping the course of the Test: “If he cannot come back to bat, that can have a huge influence on this game. And with the second new ball due tomorrow, I think anything can happen.”Pant has been one of India’s standout performers this series, scoring 462 runs at an average of 77 — and now, the team waits anxiously for the verdict that could define their Manchester campaign.

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