IND vs ENG 4th Test: Can India Replace Rishabh Pant In 2nd Innings? ICC Rule Explained
Rishabh Pant’s situation has drawn attention to a pending rule change by the ICC, which could reshape team dynamics in red-ball cricket.
The second day of the fourth Test between India and England belonged to Rishabh Pant's courage and determination. Battling through visible discomfort, Pant hobbled onto the field and notched up a brave half-century, earning widespread praise.
Despite suffering a fractured right toe, he contributed 54 runs, with 37 of those coming before the injury.
The injury occurred on Day 1 when a delivery from Chris Woakes struck Pant’s foot. Blood was spotted when he removed his shoe, and swelling followed soon after. Pant was forced to leave the field, and Dhruv Jurel stepped in to take over wicketkeeping duties. Later, Cricbuzz confirmed that Pant had sustained a fracture.
BCCI on Pant’s Availability
The BCCI issued an official statement, confirming the injury: "Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping duties. Despite the injury, Pant joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat based on team requirements."
ICC’s Experimental Rule: Can Pant Be Replaced by Another Batter?
Rishabh Pant’s situation has drawn attention to a pending rule change by the ICC, which could reshape team dynamics in red-ball cricket.
As of now, only concussion substitutes are permitted in Test matches. That means if a player suffers a head injury, a like-for-like replacement is allowed — and that substitute can also bat or bowl, depending on the original player’s role.
However, the ICC recently initiated a six-month trial period starting October 2025 for allowing broader injury substitutes in first-class cricket. Under this experimental policy, if a player suffers a serious on-field injury, a replacement with a similar skill set — batter for batter, bowler for bowler — may be allowed to take their place in the playing XI for the remainder of the match.
Had this rule already been in effect, India could have considered replacing Pant with another batter in the second innings. But since this rule is still under trial and not applicable to ongoing international fixtures, Pant remains in the XI and can bat, but no substitute can take his place as a batter.
For now, Dhruv Jurel continues as the designated substitute wicketkeeper but cannot bat in Pant’s place unless the injury qualifies under the existing concussion protocol — which it does not.
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