India's injury woes on their tour of England have deepened significantly, with star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant being forced to retire hurt on Day 1 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford. Pant sustained a painful blow to his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, leaving him visibly in agony and casting serious doubt over his continued participation in the crucial match and potentially the remainder of the series.

The incident occurred in the 68th over of India's innings. Pant, who had been batting confidently on 37 runs off 48 balls, misjudged a delivery from Woakes, and the ball thudded directly onto his right boot. Despite an immediate appeal for LBW which was turned down on review (UltraEdge confirming a faint under-edge), the impact left Pant writhing in pain. Medical staff rushed onto the field as he lay on the ground, unable to put any weight on his injured foot.

What followed was a concerning sight for Indian fans as swelling and visible bleeding became apparent on Pant's foot. After receiving initial treatment, it became clear he could not continue. A small medical vehicle was brought onto the field to transport him off, with Pant grimacing in discomfort as he was driven away for further assessment. He has since been taken to a hospital for scans to determine the extent of the damage.

This latest setback is particularly distressing for Pant and the Indian team, as it marks his second injury in the ongoing series. He had previously hurt his left index finger while wicketkeeping during the 3rd Test at Lord's, an injury that had kept him away from his primary role behind the stumps and raised questions about his full fitness coming into this Test. The severity of this new foot injury now poses a significant challenge for India's team composition and hopes of leveling the series.