Rishabh Pant is known for keeping fans on the edge with his explosive batting, but on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England, he won hearts for a different reason—his sheer grit. Pant walked out to bat despite a fractured right foot, earning a standing ovation for his bravery, determination, and fighting spirit.
Though clearly in pain, limping between the wickets and wincing at times, he continued to bat for nearly an hour. His brave knock came to an end when Jofra Archer delivered a near-unplayable ball that seamed away from middle stump to hit the woodwork. Rishabh Pant had walked in with India struggling at 314 for six, and before his dismissal, helped the team add 35 critical runs. India’s total of 358 might have looked very different without his contribution—possibly ending much earlier under overcast skies and against a fresh bowling attack.
This innings was unlike anything Rishabh Pant had played before. He couldn’t play his usual range of strokes—no running down the pitch, no flamboyant sweeps, no shifting around the crease. But on July 24, Pant showed he didn’t need his full range to make an impact. He adapted, relied on sharp reflexes, and sheer will. A towering six off Archer and a bullet-like boundary off Stokes stood out in what might be the gutsiest half-century of his career.
Playing through the pain
Teammate Shardul Thakur, who scored an important 41, spoke about Pant’s exceptional pain threshold. “He was definitely in a lot of pain,” Shardul said. “We’ve seen him do incredible things, and today was no different. What he showed today—the passion, the ‘jazba’—was unmatched.”
According to Thakur, Pant’s refusal to give in to pain was remarkable. “He has a high pain tolerance, so if he shows it, you know it’s serious.”
The battle before the bat
Rishabh Pant didn’t even travel with the team to the ground. While the rest of the squad warmed up, he was still at the hospital, where medical staff worked hard just to help him walk. Even standing upright was a major milestone, let alone batting.
Batting with a fractured foot is nearly impossible—movement, balance, and weight transfer are essential parts of any batsman’s technique, and for someone like Pant, who thrives on agility and footwork, the injury was a major blow. Yet, he stood firm. He adjusted his game, stayed rooted to the crease, and used his eyes and hands to guide the ball. He even pushed for quick singles—showcasing his mental toughness as much as his cricketing skill.
Regardless of the outcome of this Test or the series, one image will be etched in memory: Rishabh Pant, visibly in pain, limping to the middle and fighting on with unmatched determination.
He may have struggled to walk—but that day, Rishabh Pant rose to greatness.