Image Credit: BCCI
Rishabh Pant Earns Praises from Sachin Tendulkar After Scoring Gritty Fifty Despite Injury
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant delivered a courageous performance in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford by scoring a vital half-century while nursing a fractured toe.
Battling Pain, Back at the Crease
Pant was forced to retire hurt on Day 1 after being struck on the right foot while attempting a reverse sweep. Scans later confirmed a toe fracture, ruling him out of wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the match. However, he returned to bat on Day 2 after Shardul Thakur’s dismissal, drawing applause from both teammates and the crowd for his determination.
Despite limited foot movement, Pant scored 54 runs off 75 balls. His innings included several confident strokes, including a six off Jofra Archer that brought him into the elite list of Indian players with 90 Test sixes.
Praise from Cricketing Legends
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar praised Pant’s fighting spirit, calling his knock “a powerful reminder of resilience and character.” Other former cricketers like Wasim Jaffer and Irfan Pathan also applauded his grit, saying Pant showcased what it means to play for the team despite personal pain.
Match Situation
Pant’s contribution helped India post a total of 358 in their first innings. England responded strongly, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley scoring 94 and 84 respectively, taking the team to 225 for 2 by stumps on Day 2. Ben Stokes had earlier played a crucial role with the ball, picking up a five-wicket haul to keep India from pushing the score even further.
