IND vs ENG Test | Chris Woakes breaks silence on hitting Rishabh Pant’s toe: ‘I didn’t assume…’ | Cricket News

England’s Chris Woakes appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India’s Rishabh Pant through the fourth cricket take a look at match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England seamer Chris Woakes has spoken concerning the supply that struck Rishabh Pant’s toe — an damage that dominated the wicketkeeper-batter out of the continuing Test sequence after he sustained a fracture on the opening day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.“He’s quite unpredictable,” Woakes stated on Sky Sports.“He doesn’t give you many cues, but sometimes you get a gut feeling that he’s about to do something. He’d played five or six deliveries normally, so I had a feeling…“I didn’t think it would be a reverse sweep! I thought he might run at me, so I tried to bowl a slower ball; it came out full and hit him on the foot. It wasn’t intended to be a yorker, but the plan was to take the pace off.”

Pant retired harm on 37 and went for scans after taking a blow to his proper foot whereas making an attempt a reverse sweep off Woakes.Blood was seen seeping from Pant’s proper foot, which confirmed appreciable swelling.He didn’t return to the bottom with the group on Thursday.Initial scans have revealed a light compound fracture in Pant’s proper foot — probably the reason for the bleeding and swelling that pressured him to retire harm on Wednesday.

Pant’s participation within the ongoing Test seems extraordinarily unlikely, and his availability will rely on how shortly the swelling subsides. However, early indications counsel the ache has endured regardless of speedy first support, elevating severe doubts about any additional involvement within the match.With no official replace but from the BCCI, group sources have indicated that the administration is already exploring alternative choices. Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan — who toured with the A group and in addition performed county matches — is the frontrunner to be drafted into the squad.The setback provides to India’s rising considerations, as Pant had additionally suffered a finger damage through the third Test at Lord’s, which pressured him handy over the holding duties to Dhruv Jurel.