When Rishabh Pant hobbled out to bat with a fractured toe on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, it became a defining image of grit and passion for cricket. The left-hander had already made an impact on Day 1, coming in at No. 6 and quickly moving to 37 before an attempted reverse sweep against Chris Woakes took an unfortunate turn.

The ball struck his right foot, forcing him to retire hurt and be taken off for scans, eventually confirming a fracture. With the BCCI ruling him out of wicketkeeping duties and the final Test of the series, few expected Pant to bat again. But in a moment of sheer willpower and patriotism, he returned to the crease after Shardul Thakur’s dismissal, limping visibly yet determined to contribute.

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The cricketing world, including legends like Sachin Tendulkar, took notice. Tendulkar lauded Pant on social media, writing: “Resilience is about playing through pain and rising above it… His fifty is a powerful reminder of the grit and determination it takes to represent your country.”

Resilience is about playing through pain and rising above it.@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… pic.twitter.com/OJ7amt9OAa

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 24, 2025

Pant’s return wasn’t just symbolic—it was impactful. He struck timely boundaries, combining flair with courage, and reached a valiant fifty under immense discomfort. His 54 off 75 balls was a blend of calculated aggression and raw bravery. Eventually, Jofra Archer’s searing delivery shattered his stumps, but the damage had been done.

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Pant’s second stint at the crease saw him add 17 more runs in a gritty stand with Washington Sundar (27), pushing India’s total to a respectable 358. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 61, but it was Pant’s innings that gave the total its fighting spirit. His knock may well serve as a turning point, giving India’s bowlers something to fight for in what remains of this gripping Test.