Sawt Falasteen - Injured Pant resumes innings for India in fourth Test against England

Vice-captain Pant was forced to retire hurt on 37 on the opening day of the match on Wednesday after he inside-edged a Chris Woakes yorker onto his right boot.

A Board of Control for Cricket in India statement on Thursday confirmed Pant was unfit to keep wicket but would be available to bat if required.

After Shardul Thakur fell for 41, with India 314-6 in their first innings, Pant slowly made his way down the dressing room steps and out into the middle.

Runners are no longer allowed in international cricket.

On Thursday he first faced England captain Ben Stokes, prodding tentatively at a wide delivery.

The left-hander was then comprehensively beaten by the next delivery.

Rain stopped play about 10 minutes before lunch in Manchester, with Pant 39 not out in India's total of 321-6.

Earlier, the BCCI issued a statement on his fitness.

"Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on day one of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the match," it said.

"Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicketkeeper. Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on day two and and will be available to bat as per team requirements."

Jurel deputised behind the stumps during England's 22-run win in the third Test at Lord's after India's first-choice gloveman suffered a finger injury.

Under the laws of cricket, Jurel can keep wicket in Pant's absence but cannot, as a substitute, bat instead of him.

Pant, 27, has been one of India's outstanding players during the five-match series, racking up more than 450 runs in seven innings so far.

England lead the series 2-1.

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST