Rishabh Pant’s courageous decision to return and bat with a fractured toe in the fourth Test has not only earned admiration but, in Gautam Gambhir’s words, laid the very “foundation” of the Indian team’s character moving forward. India’s head coach was effusive in his praise for the Test vice-captain, who battled through excruciating pain to score a fighting half-century, embodying the very essence of selfless cricket.
Pant had taken a painful blow to the toe during India’s first innings at Old Trafford and was forced to retire hurt. But true to his reputation for grit and flair, he returned on Day 2 to loud applause from the Manchester crowd and defied the odds with a bold knock. His fifty was crucial in helping India post a respectable 358 before being bowled out.
“The character and foundation of this team will be built on what Rishabh did,” Gautam Gambhir said. “He put his hand up when the team needed him most. Not many people in world cricket have done that—come back out with a broken foot. I could talk for hours about this. Generations ahead should remember it: that there was someone who batted through pain for his country.”
WATCH – Rishabh Pant Battles Fractured Toe To “Do It for the Team” In Gritty Manchester Knock
Rishabh Pant’s contribution across the tour was significant—scoring 479 runs in four Tests—before injury ruled him out of the upcoming final Test at The Oval. While India will surely miss his presence behind the stumps and in the middle order, Gambhir remains hopeful of a swift recovery.
𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻! 🫡#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @RishabhPant17 | @Sundarwashi5 | @GautamGambhir
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— BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2025
“He’s a vital part of the Test setup and we hope he’s back soon,” he added. India, despite trailing by a massive first innings lead in Manchester, managed to salvage a dramatic draw. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar turned the tide on a wearing pitch as India ended the match at 425/4.
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However, with the series still standing at 2-1 in England’s favour, Gambhir made his intent clear. “I believe in results. We’re still trailing and we must level the series. This is the best Indian team available right now, and a 2-2 finish would be a great achievement.”
For Gambhir and India, the message is clear: play for pride, for the result—and now, for Pant.
