Ben Stokes and Gambhir are at different ends of the injury replacement bands.
Pant bravely made his way back to the crease the following day, despite his limp, and helped another 17 runs to reach his third half-century of the series, adding to his Leeds double hundreds. Dhruv Jurel replaced him as wicketkeeper for the rest of the match, but his involvement ended there.
In order to keep the match from turning into an uneven ten-versus-eleven contest, Gambhir expressed strong support for a rule that would allow teams to bring in a replacement in such situations. Gambhir declared, "Absolutely, I'm all for it," following the match. "I think it's crucial if the match referee and umpires notice and believe that to be a serious injury. It's crucial to have a rule that allows you to get a replacement if the injury is extremely obvious.
That is perfectly acceptable, particularly in a series like this one where the last three Test matches have been so fiercely contested. What if we had been forced to play 10 men against 11? This would be really bad for us.
Stokes, however, rejected the notion as unworkable, cautioning that such a regulation may allow for manipulation and misuse. Replacements are only permitted under current playing conditions in the event of a concussion or if a player contracts COVID-19 while playing. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous that there's a conversation around an injury replacement," Stokes explained.
"I believe that there would just be too many gaps for teams to navigate. Injuries are a part of the game; you have to be at your best. I fully comprehend the substitute for concussions: player safety and welfare. However, if you put me in an MRI scanner, I could get someone else in right quickly; therefore, I think the discussion about injury replacements should just stop.
"A bowler will say, 'Oh sure, you have a little inflammation around your knee,' if you put them through an MRI machine. We can bring another new bowler in, oh dear. I simply believe that discussion needs to be put on hold.
In the meantime, Gambhir held back his greatest compliments for Rishabh Pant's perseverance and dedication to the team. Pant was ready to bat in the second innings if necessary, but he was now ruled out of the series. The announcement that Rishabh is no longer in the series has already been made. I want to state that the character and the basis of this team will be based on what [he] accomplished for the team and the nation. His praise is insufficient, especially considering that he is batting with a damaged foot.
"I say that because he raised his hand, and not many people have done that before. Praise of any kind [is insufficient]. I could spend hours and hours discussing this while I sit here. I believe that future generations will discuss this, and they ought to discuss the fact that someone has been beaten with a broken foot.
It's regrettable given his recent form, but he is once more a vital element of the Test team. I hope he gets well soon and returns to attempt to help us again.