Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett frustrate visitors with 150-plus stand in response to India’s 358 all out on Day Two of fourth Test at Old Trafford

With Dhruv Jurel already keeping wickets in Manchester, it has been confirmed that Pant will not feature in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. His absence is a major blow for India, given that he was the team’s second-highest run-scorer in the series and a key presence in the middle order

Pant, who had retired hurt on 37 after taking a painful blow to his right foot on day one, returned to the crease amid warm applause from the crowd. Walking in with a visible limp, the Indian vice-captain defied discomfort to compile a gutsy 54 off 75 deliveries, holding the lower order together before becoming one of Ben Stokes` five victims

The Indian women team will also engage with England women in a three-match T20I series and a one-off Test. The T20 series will begin at Chelmsford on May 28, followed by games at Bristol on May 30 and Taunton on June 2. The lone Test will be played at the Lord`s from July 10

Driving a full and wide delivery through the vacant extra-cover region, Pant reached his fifty under circumstances that demanded both physical courage and mental resilience. The Indian vice-captain had retired hurt on 37 the previous afternoon after inside-edging a sharp Chris Woakes yorker onto his right foot

On Thursday morning, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant would not take the field as a wicketkeeper for the remainder of the match due to the injury. However, the board clarified that he would be available to bat if required

"The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling," an ACC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. The tournament will be held for a little over fortnight in September

India have already lost all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to a knee problem, while pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are missing the ongoing game because of a groin niggle and a finger injury respectively. Pant`s injury adds to the problems for the team which is trailing 1-2 right now

India is set to co-host the ODI World Cup along with Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to begin on September 30. Later, they will feature in the T20 World Cup 2026 in England