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India head coach Gautam Gambhir was in awe of Rishabh Pant's steely determination despite a fractured toe. Pant got injured during India's first innings but came back to bat on the next day and took his score to 54. Gambhir said that he hates to talk about individuals but Pant has not just inspired the Indian dressing room, but the next crop of players.
"The foundation of this test team will be based on what Rishabh has done for the team. I hate talking about individuals; I have never spoken about individuals in a team sport. You have not only inspired this dressing room, but you have inspired the next generation," Gambhir said in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"This is what you have done, and that is a legacy which you have created for yourself and everyone in this dressing room. So very, very well done from everyone. And the country will always be proud of you," he added.
Pant's message to Team India
Pant has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test of the series. He thanked everyone for backing him. He wants the Shubman Gill-led side to win the next Test and level series 2-2.
"It has been amazing the way they have backed me. The team is under pressure, everything is there, but when the whole country stands behind you for the same cause, that is something, that emotion is difficult to explain. How proud I feel to represent my country. The only message I am going to give my team is, Let us win it, guys. Let us do it for the country," Pant said.
Sundar on Pant's selfless act
All-rounder Washington Sundar who scored a century on Day 5 at Pant's position, said that the country is proud of him for braving the injury and contribute to the team's cause.
"It is very difficult to even put in the feeling that he would be going through in words because he has fractured his toe, and he is in pain no matter what. I even saw his foot; it was swollen badly. So I think for him to even walk around actually takes a lot, but he did a lot more than that. I think the whole country is proud of him, and he is just the son of a country, I would say," Sundar said.
Test debut for Jagadeesan or Jurel to feature in 5th Test?
Meanwhile, the selection committee has picked Narayan Jagadeesan as Pant's replacement. Jagadeesan has received his maiden Test call-up. It is yet to be seen whether Dhruv Jurel gets a nod or Jagadeesan makes his Test debut.
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