Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar heaped praises on Rishabh Pant after the latter heroically came out to bat with an injured toe on the second day of the fourth Test against England in Manchester. Once it was diagnosed that Pant had a toe fracture on Thursday (July 24), it seemed unlikely that he would bat in the first innings at least. The BCCI had already tweeted stating that he wouldn't keep in the game at all and only bat if required.
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However, when Shardul Thakur perished to Ben Stokes late on the morning session of Day 2, in walked Pant and the stunned Old Trafford crowd stood up in unison to applaud the spirit of the man. Tendulkar took to his social media account on X to hail Pant's bravado.
"Resilience is about playing through pain and rising above it," wrote Tendulkar.
"@RishabhPant17
showed tremendous character by walking back into the game with an injury and delivering a performance like that. His fifty is a powerful reminder of the grit and determination it takes to represent your country. A brave effort, and one that will be remembered for a long time.
Well played, Rishabh!"
Pant, who had retired hurt on 37(48) on the first day, battled on for another 27 deliveries while adding 17 more runs in the process. It included a majestic cross-batted swipe against a Jofra Archer slower ball although the pacer had the last laugh, knocking the Indian vice-captain over much like the second innings at Lord's.
Pant had suffered the injury on the opening day while attempting a reverse sweep against a Chris Woakes yorker, only to get struck flush on the boot. Subsequently, he had to be escorted away through the staff vehicle as the toe had bleeding and a visible fracture. Reports suggest that he could be out of action for at least six weeks and that puts him virtually out of the final Test at The Oval. Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets for the ongoing Manchester Test and could also be the official replacement in the XI for the fifth Test.
