“Rishabh Pant Criticized by Legends for ‘Milking’ Injury: Calls for Timed Out Stir Debate”

Rishabh Pant’s slow descent from the Old Trafford dressing room sparked mixed reactions among some of the legends present at the venue.

Rishabh Pant’s Grit Revives Debate on Injury Substitutes

Rishabh Pant’s brave innings during the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester has reignited conversations around injury substitutes in cricket. Battling a broken foot, Pant hobbled out to bat when India desperately needed runs, enduring visible pain to complete a gutsy half-century. He took painkillers and injections just to be able to stand and play. The moment he appeared at the boundary ropes, broadcasters and journalists in the Old Trafford press box stood in awe, aware they were witnessing something extraordinary—reminiscent of Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw in 2002.

However, not everyone was equally moved. In the legends lounge nearby, some former cricketers and guests expressed skepticism. Former England player David Lloyd remarked that a few believed Pant was “milking” the injury and even suggested he should have been timed out for the delay in arriving at the crease. This reaction drew parallels with a similar scene from the 2023 Ashes, when Nathan Lyon, struggling with a torn calf, limped to bat and feared being timed out.

Rishabh Pant’s determination has not only earned him admiration but also reignited a long-silent debate—should external injuries allow for a substitute batter or fielder? Given India’s disadvantage of playing effectively with ten men, the incident brings attention to the need for greater flexibility in substitution rules.

Regardless of the opinions, Rishabh Pant’s decision to fight through immense physical discomfort has etched his name among cricket’s toughest warriors and highlighted the sport’s enduring spirit of resilience.

Having substitutes not a bad idea after all

While Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping duties from Rishabh Pant, he is not permitted to bat in Pant’s place due to the existing substitute rules. Under current ICC regulations, only concussion substitutes are allowed to bat or bowl—rules that don’t extend to external injuries like fractures.

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel believes the rule shouldn’t be altered, maintaining the traditional stance. However, former England cricketer David Lloyd holds a different view. While he opposes the idea of allowing runners for injured batters, he supports the introduction of like-for-like substitutes for serious external injuries.

“I’m probably against runners, but I’m pro substitutes for an external injury,” Lloyd told talkSPORT Cricket. “It does open a can of worms, but if the injury is severe—like a fracture—and the player is out for six weeks, why not allow a medically approved substitute who’s a like-for-like replacement? Just not a case where you replace a batter with a spinner.”

Lloyd’s comments underline a growing conversation in world cricket—should the sport evolve to accommodate modern demands and player safety by allowing batting and bowling substitutes in cases of severe physical injury? The debate, reignited by Pant’s courage, is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

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