[WATCH] ‘I don’t like..’- Former England captains promote new debate after Rishabh Pant’s injury in ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

It was in the evening session of the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford in Manchester when Rishabh Pant went for a premeditated sweep and got hit on the bridge of his foot. He looked in serious pain and left the field on a golf cart, as questions remain if he could bat in the remainder of the clash.

Now, the former England captain, Michael Vaughan, has sparked a new debate on the issue, arguing that teams should be allowed to make substitutions in cases of these injuries. He reckoned that this would keep the balance and excitement in a game.

See Also: [WATCH] Rishabh Pant leaves field with injury during ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

‘I don’t like the fact now that we have got four days’ of action left in the game, where we have an incredible series and have ten versus eleven. I prefer that you have a sub. Once they brought out the concussion sub, I was crying out that let’s have substitutions in the first innings of the game, and that would be my stepping point, that if it goes into the second innings of the game.’ Vaughan expressed during a recent interaction on Test Match Special.  

Watch: Former England captains debate on substitution after Rishabh Pant’s injury in ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester   

‘I feel teams might break the rules or engage in skullduggery. When someone breaks a hand or breaks a foot or ruptures a calf, it’s obvious that they can’t carry on. It's very clear to me that you should be allowed for a sub.’ He added.

Should Test cricket introduce substitutions?

Rishabh Pant's injury has prompted some fierce debate on the TMS podcast 🗣 🤔#BBCCricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/1jfAbpRs6y

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 23, 2025

Another former leader of the side, Sir Alastair Cook, was unsure about accepting the idea, given that he raised a different part of the story and questioned the discrepancy between a broken foot and a bruise.

‘Just say, we have seen Pant walk off there and look all kinds of pain. And it’s not broken. So, there is nothing on the X-ray. It’s just a bruise. Then he has to play on. But he says I can’t walk. If he has broken his foot, then it’s different. But in case you get hit in the arm, I can’t move. Then you get replaced because it’s uncomfortable, but you can’t hold a bat as you would have liked, but you only have a bruise.’ Cook shed light.