Sai Sudharsan provided a distressing update on Rishabh Pant's injury status after the end of play on Day 1 of the fourth Test at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, July 23.
The talismanic wicketkeeper-batter was batting aggressively alongside Sudharsan as he scored 37 runs off 48 balls, hitting two fours and one six. However, in the final session, he tried to hit Chris Woakes for a premeditated reverse sweep and got hit flush on his right boot. England appealed for a leg before, but the umpire was unmoved. Ben Stokes went for the DRS, but it wasn't successful as Pant had got an under-edge.
The 27-year-old was in excruciating pain after coping with the blow. He was seen limping near the pitch, taking his pads off. The Indian team's physio rushed in to check on Pant. However, as things didn't improve, the Delhi cricketer had to be taken out of the stadium on an ambulance.
Sudharsan revealed that Pant would be undergoing scans. While the youngster hoped that the Indian vice-captain would recover soon, he asserted that the rest of the batters are ready to take on additional responsibility if Pant fails to get back onto the field in the remainder of the Test match.
“He was in a lot of pain definitely, but they've gone for scans. We'll get to know overnight, probably get the information tomorrow. Obviously he will be a big miss, because he was batting really well today as well, and plus we miss out on a batter. If he doesn't come back again it will definitely have consequences. But at the same time, the batters who are batting right now and there are a few more all-rounders inside. We'll try and give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss very well," said Sudharsan in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.
I was trying to play the situation very well and do what I can do best for my team: Sudharsan
Sudharsan showed a lot of grit and determination on Wednesday during his knock of 61 off 151 deliveries. He hit seven fours during his innings and frustrated the England bowlers. Speaking about his knock, he said he wasn't under any pressure and was just looking to get out in the middle and express himself.
“I'm not looking at it as a pressure situation, it's a great opportunity for me to go out there and express myself. Yes, the game is all about pressure and handling it really well. I was trying to play the situation very well and do what I can do best for my team. So that's the most important thought, which is right up in my mind rather than me playing my first Test or me playing in place of another batter. So as a batter or as a player for the team, I'm trying to do my best when I get in there, not to think about, did I play the last game or am I replacing somebody so that I have to definitely get runs, nothing like that,” he added.
India finished Day 1 at 264/4 after being invited to bat first by Ben Stokes. Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur remained unbeaten on 19 each.