Rishabh Pant Scores Gritty 54 with Broken Toe, Earns Praise from Ravi Shastri. Rishabh Pant displayed remarkable courage by scoring 54 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, despite nursing a broken toe.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri praised Rishabh Pant resilience after the wicketkeeper-batter resumed his innings on Day 2, having retired hurt the previous day. Pant sustained a foot injury while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes on Day 1, forcing him to leave the field on 37.
Despite the setback, Rishabh Pant returned to bat the next morning, pushing his score to 54 and receiving a standing ovation from the Manchester crowd for his determination.
Due to the injury, Rishabh Pant has been relieved of wicketkeeping duties for the ongoing match, with Dhruv Jurel taking over behind the stumps. Pant is also likely to miss the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
Ravi Shastri Praises Rishabh Pant’s Resilient Comeback in Manchester Test
In a BCCI video, commentator Ravi Shastri applauded Rishabh Pant for his remarkable fightback during the Manchester Test, emphasizing that Pant’s performance should boost India’s morale in the match.
“For him to come back and do what he did — that was truly special. If that effort doesn’t inspire the team, nothing will,” Shastri remarked.
He added, “The standing ovation Pant received when he walked off, the cheers upon his return, and the applause from even the England players — that’s what every cricketer dreams of. That’s what you play for. That’s what creates heroes.”
Shastri further highlighted Rishabh Pant passion and dedication: “What he’s shown now proves he simply loves playing Test cricket and representing the country. Anyone who doubted his commitment to the team witnessed it firsthand today. Such dedication requires more than talent — it demands heart.”
On Pant’s injury and determination to play, Shastri shared a revealing conversation: “Before this Test, I asked Rishabh, ‘How’s your finger? It’s not broken, right?’ He said, ‘Even if it were broken, I would still play.’”
Pant had suffered a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s but still batted in both innings, scoring a fifty in the first. Meanwhile, Jurel kept wickets during that match.
In the current Test, Pant’s resilience helped India post 358 all out in their first innings, supported by half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarsan. On the bowling front, Ben Stokes impressed with a five-wicket haul, and Jofra Archer took three wickets. By the end of day three’s first session, England reached 250 runs for two wickets.