There was a collective sigh of relief among Indian fans at Lord’s when Rishabh Pant stepped out with bat in hand just before England’s innings wrapped up at 387 on Day 2 of the third Test. Despite nursing an injured left index finger, Pant padded up and headed straight to the nets, accompanied by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, physio Yogesh Parmar, and the team’s throwdown experts.

Pant, who sustained the injury on Day 1 while attempting a diving stop off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery, looked determined but uncomfortable during his brief net session. He batted for about 15 minutes, often wincing in pain, shaking his hand, and checking his fingers between deliveries. At one point, he was seen talking to himself — perhaps psyching himself up as he tried to push through the discomfort.

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Though he did not keep wickets for a second consecutive day — with Dhruv Jurel stepping in behind the stumps — Pant’s presence at the nets indicated his eagerness to contribute with the bat. The BCCI later confirmed his ongoing recovery, stating: “Rishabh Pant is still recovering from the hit on his left index finger. The BCCI medical team continues to monitor his progress. Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wickets on Day 2.”

Rishabh Pant has been batting in the nets on the Lord’s Nursery Ground, having left the field yesterday with an index finger injury that prevented him from keeping wicket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/EAz2mKKSPq

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 11, 2025

Pant’s attitude off the field was equally commendable. While he couldn’t stop for photos before the net session, he made it up to fans afterwards, smiling, signing autographs, and posing for selfies despite the discomfort.

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The injury occurred during the 34th over of England’s innings, when Pant was struck on the fingertips while trying to intercept a leg-side delivery. Though he continued briefly with heavy strapping, the pain ultimately forced him to walk off for treatment. His grit remains a reflection of India’s fighting spirit in this intense series.