India’s second day at Old Trafford brought a surprise no one expected. Rishabh Pant, who had retired hurt the day before, returned to bat. Not only did he bat, he scored 17 more runs—taking his tally to 54—and helped push India past the 350 mark.
The twist? He did it all with a fractured foot.
Return from Pain
Pant’s injury came late on the first day. Attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, he ended up smashing a full toss into his right boot. He collapsed in pain almost instantly.
Medical staff rushed in. When Pant removed his sock, a large swelling was already visible. He was helped off the field in a buggy and sent for scans.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India hasn’t released an official update, sources told ESPNcricinfo that Pant has a confirmed fracture and will miss the final Test.
Still, on the second day, just before lunch, there he was—fully padded up, walking in to bat.
Match Context
At the time, India were 314 for 6. Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar had stitched together a 48-run partnership. With conditions favoring bowlers and a score of 350 considered competitive, Pant’s return appeared to be a calculated decision.
Spectators applauded his grit. Though limping between the wickets, he held his ground at the crease. His presence helped add 35 runs during his time out in the middle.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Injured After Painful Blow, Retires Hurt in Fourth Test at Old Trafford
Matching Sehwag
One particular moment stood out. After Washington fell, Pant faced Jofra Archer. On seeing a slower delivery, he pulled it cleanly over the boundary for six. That six was his 90th in Test cricket.
With it, he equaled Virender Sehwag’s record for the most Test sixes by an Indian. Sehwag needed 103 Tests to reach that number. Pant did it in just 47.
Soon after, he brought up his fifty. The shot? A block with no follow-through that somehow found the cover boundary.
Eventually, Jofra Archer ended Pant’s defiant innings. A delivery angled in from around the wicket, then seamed away to clip the top of off stump. Few deliveries could have dismissed Pant in that form.
What’s Next
Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping duties for the rest of the match.
India may miss Pant behind the stumps, but his short return with the bat offered not just runs, but momentum. In a game where 350 can make a difference, his innings might matter more than it looks on paper.
It wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a statement. Hurt, limited, and possibly ruled out—yet present when the team needed him.
