(Video) Rishabh Pant Gets Thunderous Applause from English Crowd as he Wobbles Down to Bat Despite Toe Fracture

Rishabh Pant is India's second-highest run-getter in the series so far, tallying 479 runs in seven innings, including two hundreds and three fifties.

(Video) Rishabh Pant Gets Thunderous Applause from English Crowd as he Wobbles Down to Bat Despite Toe Fracture

Rishabh Pant received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd, after he walked out to bat despite having fractured his toe. (via News 18)

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The crowd at Old Trafford in Manchester rose to its feet, as an injured Rishabh Pant bravely walked out to bat on the second day of the third Test between India and England. Pant received a thunderous applause from the English fans, as he wobbled onto the pitch with a fractured toe. 

While the Indian team ended its first innings at Old Trafford in Manchester with 358 runs on the board, vice-captain Rishabh Pant was the talk of the town for his gut-filled, courageous move. The Indian team, has been battling an untimely injury crisis, with three players missing the fourth Test. Nitish Kumar Reddy is out for the series, while Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep are also sidelined for the match.

To add to the injury woes, Rishabh Pant, who had already suffered an index finger injury in the third Test at Lord’s, sustained a major blow to his right foot. He fractured his right foot during the final session of the first day at Old Trafford, while audaciously attempting to hit a reverse sweep off of a yorker by Chris Woakes, in the 68th over, with the ball instead landing right on his boot in an agonizing situation. 

The 27-year-old was left in agony after the hit, as he swiftly collapsed to the ground. Medics immediately arrived onto the pitch, and Pant was carried off in a golf-cart, unable to stand up on his feet. He was later taken to the hospital for scans, with doctors confirming that the he had suffered a foot fracture and even advising him to rest for the next six weeks, effectively ruling him out of the match as well as the series.

While initial reports suggested that the BCCI was seeking replacements to cover for Pant’s absence, the board later issued a surprising update. The BCCI officially informed fans that Pant had, against expectations, rejoined the team on Day 2 and would come out to bat. Much to everyone’s surprise, the wicket-keeper stepped onto the pitch much earlier than anticipated, coming in to bat after India had lost its sixth wicket.

Pant made his way to the crease in the 102nd over, following Shardul Thakur‘s dismissal. As he walked down the stands, the 27-year-old was met with the loudest of cheers from the crowd, in appreciation of his brave move.

Rishabh Pant slowly limped his way to the middle of the crease, willing to fight for his team even with a fractured foot. He received a resounding standing ovation, while Thakur paused to pat Pant on his head.

Rishabh Pant remarkably went on to complete his half-century, even showcasing his finesse by hitting a six off Jofra Archer‘s delivery. However, his courageous effort finally ended in the 113th over when Archer bowled him with a spectacular good-length delivery.

Sachin Tendulkar Praises Rishabh Pant’s Bravery, After He Bats Heroically with a Fractured Toe

Rishabh Pant earned praise for his grit, resilience as well as his dedication for the Indian cricket team, after coming out to bat with a broken foot on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England. Even Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was left amazed at the 27-year-old heroic act. 

Sachin Tendulkar on Rishabh Pant
Sachin Tendulkar praised Rishabh Pant for showing grit and dedication, after coming out to bat with an injury. (via X)

Pant hobbled his way down the pavilion on the second day, despite being in immense pain. Tendulkar took to social media to praise the Indian keeper, commending him for playing through pain and rising above it. He highlighted how Pant showed character by walking back into the game, adding that the left-hander’s half-century should remind fans of his grit for years to come:

Rishabh Pant showed tremendous character by walking back into the game with an injury and delivering a performance like that.

Not just Tendulkar, former Indian opener and cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, while commentating, doffed his cap to the 27-year-old’s courage. Gavaskar noted that Pant’s return to the pitch truly showed what it means for a player to represent the Indian team.