India are currently taking on England in the fourth Test of the five-match series at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. Rishabh Pant was one of India's key weapons going into the must-win game. However, the team suffered a massive blow during the course of the game as Pant was hit in the foot by a ball from Chris Woakes on Day 1. He was then taken to the hospital, and BCCI subsequently declared that could not keep wickets for the rest of the Test match. Former England captain Alastair Cook has said that this inury might come as a blessing in disguise for India.

In an interaction with BBC, Alastair Cook said that England will have a smile on their face because they injured India's main batter in this series. However, this could act as a motivation for India who would want to win, especially without Pant. Hence, England can't afford to relax.

“England will have a little smile on their face because you know, they’ve taken out one of India’s best batsmen on this tour," Cook told BBC. “It’s the nature of the beast of cricket that you sometimes can get a bit of luck. Sometimes, when you’ve lost one of your best players, everyone’s thinking, well, it’s 10 against 11. Actually, it’s a bit more of a free shot. Sometimes that’s a pressure off. It’s a well, imagine if we win this game now, when everyone’s saying, well, we can’t win without Pant," Cook said.

“So that’s not bad. They’ve still got 250 runs on the board. They still can get over 350 and 400 on the seat, and then they’ve got a fully fit bowling attack. So I do think you miss bowlers more than you miss a batter. He’s also got 40 odd as well. So he’s made some contribution. So let’s not just say it’s not, it’s not over. England can’t (just relax) it could, you know, really ignite this Indian side," he added.