Rishabh Pant's injury has come as a major blow for the Indian Cricket team during the fourth Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, as the visitors were virtually left with 10 men for the rest of the match.

The 27-year-old injured himself while batting and had to retire hurt while leaving the field in evident pain with a visibly swollen ankle. India's worst fears were confirmed before the play started as media reports revealed that Pant has a fractured toe and will not keep wickets in the game.

Although he walked out to bat, the batter was limping and struggling to take runs. While Dhruv Jurel can keep wickets, India cannot use him as a batter, which will mean that during the second innings, either India have to be a batter short or risk sending Pant in his current state again.

Things could have been very different for India had an under-trial rule been imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Test cricket.

Last month, the world cricket body announced a number of changes in the playing regulations, with the highlight points being the return of one ball in ODI cricket (from 34th over) and a change in the regulations.

However, another key announcement was made that included a call from the ICC to boards to trail an injury replacement in first-class cricket for fix months from October 2025.

"Player who suffers a serious injury on the field of play at any time after the match has started (including any pre-match warm-up period) may be replaced for the remainder of the match by a fully participating like-for-like player," said an ICC statement.

Another key rule change has gone to trial, which is a change in how leg-side white balls are given.

Currently, replacements in the playing XIs are only allowed for concussions. During the pandemic, substitutions were allowed if a player tested positive for COVID-19 but has been scrapped.