India posted 264/4 on day one of the fourth Test in Manchester against England. However, it can very well be 264/5, as Rishabh Pant had to leave the field after a serious foot injury in the last session of the first day.

Pant had made 37 when he tried to play a reverse sweep to Chris Woakes; however, the full delivery hit him on the side of the right foot. While he survived the LBW appeal, Pant was immediately in a lot of pain, and once the boot came off, the swelling was apparent.

Despite the Indian medic’s attempts to alleviate the pain, Pant was unable to put weight on the foot, and the foot even began bleeding. He was taken off the field on the medic buggy and was taken for scans at a hospital.

The Indian wicket-keeper batter's injury has raised serious concerns for England spinner Liam Dawson, who took Shoaib Bashir's place in the 4th Test. Dawson stated that he doesn't believe Pant will return for this match.

“Hope he's alright. Didn't look great, that. Obviously, thoughts with him. He's a big player for them. I don't think we'll see him again in this game,” said Dawson at the post-day presser.

During Wednesday's press conference, India batter B. Sai Sudharsan was also questioned over Pant's injury. He acknowledged that since they would be shorthanded in batters, the squad would most likely need to bat patiently.

“Obviously, he was batting really well. We will miss a batter if he doesn't come back again. So it will definitely have consequences, but at the same time, the batters we have batting right now, and there are a few more all-rounders inside. So, we will try and give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss well,” Sai said.

In the press conference, Dawson was also chuffed about being back in England colors and contributing to the team's cause.

“It was nice to contribute to the team early on. I've said to a few people that at my age I'm at, I thought Test cricket was gone. To be back involved is really cool, and I've got to try and enjoy each day that I get. Test cricket is completely different from domestic cricket, so to get that wicket was a nice relief coming back into it. It's a big day tomorrow; hopefully, I'll get a couple more. It's one wicket; I've done nothing special,” said Dawson.

“I knew what to expect coming into it for a second time, so that helped to understand what it's going to be like. But Test cricket is hard; you'll have good and bad days. The biggest thing for me is that I understood what to expect, whereas before, I didn't really. Of course, I was nervous. I had not played for a number of years. But nerves are a good thing; the older you get and the more you play, you learn how to manage those nerves,” he added.

(PIT inputs)