Rishabh Pant couldn’t stand. He couldn’t walk without help. He came later… on crutches. The pain was visible. Reports had already said he was out of the series and would need six weeks of rest.
But on Day 2 at Old Trafford, everything changed. Pant walked out to bat. He didn’t come to just show up he came to fight. He defied all odds, pushed through the pain and scored a brave fifty when India needed him the most.
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India were bowled out for 358 on Day 2 of the fourth Test in Manchester. Pant scored 54 off 75 before being cleaned up by a beauty from Jofra Archer. The delivery angled in and then moved away after pitching and crashed into Pant’s off-stump.
He had earlier got to his fifty with a crisp four through the off-side in 69 balls.
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Despite being severely injured, he looked composed and purposeful. Pant is not fit to keep wickets so Dhruv Jurel will keep behind the stumps.
For England, Ben Stokes picked up 5 wickets while Archer got 3.
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Pant’s decision to bat was bold and his approach was even bolder. He couldn’t move freely but he kept the scoreboard ticking.
He took singles, rotated strike and didn’t just hang around. Every run he scored was with effort and pain but also with clarity and calm.
It wasn’t a typical Pant innings but it was one of his most meaningful. In the context of the game and the series it showed character.
With lower order support Pant helped India get to 350 and that’s a fighting total on a pitch that’s offering something for the bowlers.
This wasn’t about numbers. This was about guts. Pant’s fifty wasn’t just a personal milestone it was a morale booster for the entire dressing room.
Just a day ago people thought he was done for the series. But walking in with pain, wearing courage on his sleeve and batting like this shows why he’s built differently.
This is leadership not official but natural. Without saying a word Pant reminded everyone what it means to play for the team. In tough moments it’s players like him who make the difference not with speeches but with actions.
Pant’s innings at Old Trafford will be remembered for the heart. He came on crutches, in pain, his body not ready yet his mind was.
He stood up, fought through the discomfort and gave India a much needed boost.
This isn’t about a fifty. This is about a player who didn’t back down. And that’s what makes Pant different.
