Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has termed Rishabh Pant’s injury in the ongoing test against England as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

He feels that his injury will affect the visitors’ dressing room as they lost one batter in the line-up.

In the 68th over of India’s innings of day 01, Rishabh Pant attempted a reverse sweep off seam bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, but the ball hit his right foot after taking an inside edge.

He could not stand due to pain and was sent to the hospital after retiring on 37 runs off 48 deliveries.

Scans revealed that Pant has sustained on his metatarsals and advised to rest six weeks. On this instance, Ravi Shastri said, “It’s a body blow. It will affect the dressing room, because they will have lost a batter for the game – not just this innings, but for the next innings as well.”

“If India get in to a tight position, his services will have been needed. He’s an in form player, plus the energy he brings in the way he plays, the way he disrupts the opposition attack,” he added.

“From England’s point of view, they think ‘at least we can control the game now’. There’s no man in the middle to give them sleepless nights, they don’t have that headache anymore,” said Shastri on Sky Sports’ broadcast ahead of day two’s play.”

Meanwhile, the former England captain Nasser Hussain said Pant’s injury is a ‘huge deal’ from a series perspective.

“Dhruv Jurel has been doing a lot of wicketkeeping this morning. That ball (from Woakes that injured Pant) may have effectively got England two wickets, because Pant may not resume his batting here, in the first or second innings. The next Test also starts a week today. It’s a massive blow for the series if we lose such an influential cricketer.”

“If Pant is out, which I’m hearing Pant he potentially is, that’s a bit of a blow for them. He’s been a great player for them and he’s a challenging player to bowl at.”

“With the new ball this morning, we’ve got to make sure we put the ball in the right areas – get two quick ones and we feel we can get through their tail. Typical Test match cricket; the new ball is important, the first hour is important and hopefully we can get ahead in this game,” concluded Nasser Hussain.