In one of the most courageous displays of determination in recent Test cricket history, India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant defied pain and injury to score a valiant half-century during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford.
Pant, 27, arrived at the ground around 11 am local time on Day 2, his injured right foot encased in a moon boot and supported by a crutch. After a quick change into the Indian whites, he was seen on the dressing room balcony alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir. It was later revealed that Pant had visited a hospital earlier in the morning for medical attention, which delayed his arrival by nearly two hours.
Despite severe swelling and bleeding, Pant resumed his innings at 37 and went on to score 54 runs off 75 balls, striking three fours and two sixes. This was his third half-century of the series, adding to his two centuries, taking his series tally to 479 runs from seven innings at an average of 68.43.
Pant’s innings ended when Jofra Archer dismissed him, but his knock ensured India reached 358 in their first innings. Due to his injury, Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets for the remainder of the Manchester Test.
Injury and Comeback
Pant sustained the injury on Day 1 after being hit on his right foot by a Chris Woakes delivery while attempting a reverse sweep in the 68th over. Remarkably, despite barely being able to put weight on his foot, Pant continued to bat standing still, improvising shots off one leg and running singles with visible discomfort.
Praise from Cricketing Legends
Former India coach Ravi Shastri hailed Pant’s determination:
“If anyone doubted he was a team man, they saw it today. That requires more than just steel. What he did was something special. It’s the kind of effort that lifts the entire team,” Shastri said in a BCCI video.
Former England captain Michael Atherton called Pant’s knock “one of the most remarkable things” seen in recent times, while Nasser Hussain praised his “huge heart.”
Historic Comparisons
Pant’s brave act has drawn comparisons to cricket’s legendary moments of resilience, such as Malcolm Marshall batting with a broken thumb at Leeds in 1984 and Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw against Brian Lara in Antigua, 2002.
Series Performance
Pant’s form has been a cornerstone of India’s batting in the five-Test ICC World Test Championship series, with standout performances of 134 and 118 at Headingley, a gritty 65 at Edgbaston, and now a fifty on one leg at Old Trafford.
