Rishabh Pant has braved the pain and discomfort from a broken toe to continue his innings in the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford. While it had initially looked like Pant may not travel to the ground at all, he was eventually spotted in the dressing room in full gear and he then hobbled out after Shardul Thakur was dismissed shortly before Lunch.
The spectators at the stadium gave him a rousing reception as he made his way gingerly down the stairs, passed Thakur, who gave him a pat on the back, touched the boundary and then his had respectfully as he usually does and then walked onto the ground.
“The noise from the ground because here comes hobbling down the steps, Rishabh Pant!” former England captain Michael Atherton said in the commentary box.
“He has managed to get that damaged foot into a normal cricket shoe and he is making way gingerly into the middle. This is quite remarkable. Good for him because he is obviously still in great discomfort. Now anything can happen,” Atherton’s co-commentator and former England player Ian Ward said. “Continues to enthrall us with everything he does, Rishabh Pant. Remarkable player. Remarkable man.”
WATCH:
Here comes Rishabh Pant…
A classy reception from the Emirates Old Trafford crowd 👏 pic.twitter.com/vBwSuKdFcW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025
Pant has been advised six weeks’ rest for the fractured toe. Batting on 37, Pant had tried a pre-determined reverse sweep against seamer Chris Woakes but missed, taking a hit on his right boot. The ball hit the boot after taking an inside edge.
With one man short in the playing XI, the Indian team management had asked the medical team to check if Pant can bat after taking a painkiller if the need arises. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed that Pant won’t be keeping wickets but he will be available to bat “as per team requirements”.
Pant will not keep wickets in this match and is confirmed to be ruled out for the fifth and final Test. Ishan Kishan was initially considered as his eplacement but he informed the selectors that he has an ankle injury and won’t be able to recover in time or gain full match fitness. KS Bharat was seen as an alternate option, it is understood that the selectors were not keen on going back to him after the Andhra wicketkeeper failed to grab his chances during the home Test series against England.
As a result, Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan, who is next in line, has been added to the squad. The 29-year-old has been part of the India A set up in recent times. In 52 first-class matches, he has scored 10 centuries and 14 fifties at an average of 47.50 for a tally of 3373 runs.
