Ex-England captain appeals ICC for massive rule change after Rishabh Pant's injury: 'We should allow...'

Rishabh Pant left the field during Manchester Test in ambulance buggy

With four full days still remaining in the Manchester Test, India face the worrying prospect of being reduced to just ten active batters after Rishabh Pant suffered a blow to his right foot on the opening day. The wicketkeeper-batter had to leave the field immediately, and while the extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed, the signs aren't promising.

Several former cricketers, including Michael Vaughan Ravi Shastri, Ricky Ponting, and Michael Atherton, expressed concern over the incident, suggesting that Pant’s reaction might point to a potentially serious setback—one that could rule him out for the rest of the England tour.

COMEBACK STRONG, RISHABH PANT. pic.twitter.com/eTNeOV1wI2

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— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 23, 2025

The timing couldn’t be worse for India, with the fourth Test at Old Trafford crucial to keeping the series alive. Trailing 1-2, India are banking on a strong result to level the series. Losing Pant—who has been in outstanding form with two centuries and two fifties already—would be a significant blow to Shubman Gill’s side and their hopes of mounting a comeback.

Also Read - Rishabh Pant fractures toe, advised six weeks of rest; BCCI checks if 'he can bat by taking painkiller'

After the end of the day's play, the BCCI said in a statement, "Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress."

After Rishabh Pant's injury on the opening day of the Test, former England captain Michael Vaughan weighed in on the situation, suggesting that India should be permitted a substitute.

Also Read - Rishabh Pant setback major headache for India: Why Dhruv Jurel can't bat even if he comes as replacement?

"Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs," he wrote on X.

Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs .. https://t.co/MComKbHbyn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 24, 2025