In Short
- Rishabh Pant suffered a foot injury in the Manchester Test
- Pant was taken off the park after he retired hurt
- Pant retired hurt with his score at 37 off 48 balls
Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has said that while Rishabh Pant’s injury during the Manchester Test is unfortunate, there is nothing wrong with the ICC’s rule that prevents replacement wicketkeepers from batting. If Dhruv Jurel replaces Pant in the fourth Test, he will be allowed to keep wickets but will not be permitted to bat.
As per Section 24.1.2 of the ICC playing conditions, “a substitute shall not bowl [or bat] or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires.” Since 2017, the MCC has allowed substitute wicketkeepers in cases of genuine injury or illness, provided the on-field umpires approve it.”
‘I am okay with the rule’
Patel, who played 25 Tests in his career from 2002 to 2018, said that since teams often try to exploit the concussion substitute rule, the ICC’s regulations regarding wicketkeeper replacements is fair.
“See, there are already quite a few grey areas that teams try to exploit. Like in T20 cricket, we’ve seen how the concussion rule is sometimes taken advantage of. So, in an ongoing game, if someone gets injured, what do you do?” JioHotstar expert, Parthiv Patel said while replying to India Today’s query.
“I think it’s only fair. At least now, the rule has changed so that a wicketkeeper can be replaced by another wicketkeeper. Earlier, that wasn’t even allowed – someone else from the team would have had to keep wickets.
“But I’m okay with the rule. It’s unfortunate that Rishabh got hit, but it is what it is. What can you do about it? Parthiv added.
On Day 1, Pant sustained a painful blow on his toe while trying to play a reverse scoop off Chris Woakes. After being hit, he winced in pain and received treatment. But he failed to recover and had to be taken off the ground. Later, he was carried off in an ambulance. Pant was batting on 37 off 48 balls with two fours and one six.
After the day’s play, the BCCI released a statement saying that Pant was under the observation of the Indian team’s medical staff.
Pant had scored 37 runs off 48 balls, including two fours and a six, before retiring hurt.
India ended Day 1 at 264 for 4, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both scoring fifties.
Catch the fourth Test of India’s tour of England from July 23-27 at 3:30 PM, live on JioHotstar.
