Rishabh Pant showed true courage and determination on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Just a day after leaving the field in pain due to a foot injury, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter returned to bat, despite having a fractured toe. His brave move was met with a standing ovation from the Manchester crowd.
On Day 1, Pant was playing a solid knock and had reached 37 runs when a delivery from Chris Woakes hit his right foot during a reverse sweep. He was in visible pain and had to be taken off the field in a mobile ambulance. Scans later confirmed a mild compound fracture, which caused swelling and bleeding.
Though he couldn’t continue keeping wickets for the rest of the match — with Dhruv Jurel taking over the gloves — Pant chose to come out and bat after the dismissal of Shardul Thakur on Day 2. Wearing a protective moon boot while off the field, he walked out limping, clearly uncomfortable, but determined to help his team.
Here comes Rishabh Pant…
A classy reception from the Emirates Old Trafford crowd 👏 pic.twitter.com/vBwSuKdFcW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025
As he entered the ground, the entire Old Trafford crowd stood up to cheer and applaud him. The emotional moment was filled with loud cheers and respect from fans, teammates, and even cricket lovers watching from around the world.
Read more: IND vs ENG Test: Why Ishan Kishan Can’t Replace Injured Rishabh Pant
In a touching gesture, Shardul Thakur, who had just gotten out, waited patiently near the boundary to let Pant take his time coming down the stairs.
Earlier, the BCCI had announced that Pant might come out to bat if needed. His decision to play through the pain has since gone viral on social media. Now, all eyes are on Pant and Washington Sundar as they try to take India to a strong total.
This is not the first injury Pant has faced in the series. He had also hurt his finger during the third Test, due to which Dhruv Jurel had to keep wickets.
Pant’s fighting spirit and determination have once again made him a fan favorite, showing that even in pain, true champions rise.
