Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has praised Rishabh Pant for coming out to bat with a fractured toe on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England as well. He also stated that the injury was insignificant for him as well, considering he had returned to cricket after a near-fatal car accident also. Pant also scored 54 runs off 75 deliveries as India were bowled out for 358 in their first innings in Manchester on Thursday, July 24 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The first talking point is Rishabh Pant and his spirit. He reminded me of Anil bhai, who bowled with a broken jaw in Antigua and picked up a wicket. It wasn’t necessary, but he did it. Here, Rishabh Pant wasn’t able to walk or stand and was taken out in a cart.”
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“An MRI and X-ray were done, and we came to know that he has been ruled out for six weeks. Forget this match, the guy was out of the entire series. However, he said he would bat. How will you break a guy whose spirit is unbreakable? If someone has defeated death, how will he accept defeat over such small things?” he further added.
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Rishabh Pant wouldn’t have been forced to bat, saying that life is much bigger than sport as well.
“The choice was given to him. He was asked whether he would be able to play because in all such situations, no one asks you to go and play. They leave it to you because sport has its place, but sport is just a small part of life. Sport is not life. Life is much bigger than that,” he said.
“However, when a player is standing against all odds, he thinks he needs to do that for his country. Mad, mad respect for you. He won my heart, and not only mine. Everyone at the Old Trafford ground stood up and applauded him. I wasn’t surprised but slightly sad that England were trying to hit his legs. You try to hit a player where he is injured, but he played a few good shots despite that,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
