Rishabh Pant has once again shown the world why he’s more than just a flamboyant batter—he’s a warrior in whites. The Indian Test vice-captain, ruled out of the fifth and final Test at The Oval due to a fractured toe, left fans emotional and inspired by returning to bat despite the injury, all in a bid to put his team ahead.
Sustaining the injury on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Manchester while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, Pant retired hurt on 37 and later went for X-rays, which confirmed a fracture in his right foot. Yet, when India were six down for 314, Pant hobbled back to the crease and played a courageous knock, eventually completing a defiant half-century—his final contribution in the series.
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Speaking to the BCCI, Rishabh Pant humbly downplayed the gesture, saying, “It was just something basic from my side. I’ll do whatever it takes to help India win or move forward in the game. It was never about personal goals.” He added that when an entire nation stands behind you, the pride and responsibility of representing India becomes impossible to ignore.
𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻! 🫡#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @RishabhPant17 | @Sundarwashi5 | @GautamGambhir
Watch 🔽
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2025
His teammate Washington Sundar, visibly moved, shared that Pant’s foot was badly swollen and every step took immense effort. “For him to walk was tough, and yet he did so much more. He’s the son of the country,” Sundar said.
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With Pant now officially ruled out, Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan has been brought in as a replacement. However, it is expected that Dhruv Jurel—who has already been keeping wickets in Pant’s absence—will get the nod for the final Test.
Wasn’t about glory, wasn’t about stats. Not the result we came for, but not one we’ll walk away from 💪
The fight was real till the very end 🇮🇳#RP17 pic.twitter.com/8dkHVKS2Ts— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) July 27, 2025
As England lead the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-1, India must win at The Oval to level the series. Pant, ever the team man, left a powerful message for his teammates: “Let’s win it, guys. Let’s do it for the country.” Pant’s actions embodied the kind of grit Test cricket demands. It wasn’t about glory or stats—it was about heart, about nation, and about standing tall even when you can barely stand at all.
