India vs England 4th Test: Injured Rishabh Pant returns to bat, scores brave half-century to help India post 358 in Manchester Test

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant batted with a fractured toe to score a half-century before Ben Stokes-led England ended India's first innings at 358 on the second day of the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Pant who came to bat walking awkwardly, got a standing ovation a day after retiring hurt on 37 after copping a blow on his right foot, braved pain to make 54 off 75 balls even as Stokes finished with excellent figures of 5/72.
 

India had finished Day 1 at 264 for four and started Day 2 well, going past the 300-run mark. They did this despite the overcast conditions, which made batting tough. The England pacers, especially Jofra Archer, were a big threat. Archer was almost unplayable during his opening spell, making things very difficult for the Indian batters.

England captain Ben Stokes also used the conditions well, getting the ball to bounce awkwardly at times, adding more trouble for the visitors.

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Chris Woakes started with the new ball, but it was in the next over from Archer that England got the breakthrough. The in-form Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 40) was dismissed by a brilliant delivery that pitched on leg stump and moved away, taking the outside edge. Harry Brook took a sharp low catch at second slip.

With the ball doing all sorts of tricks, Shardul Thakur (41 off 88) decided to play positively. He hit a fine backfoot boundary off Woakes in the cover region and soon after, drove a full ball from Stokes through covers just one ball after facing a nasty one that nearly kissed his glove.

However, Stokes eventually got him out, tempting Shardul into a drive and getting him caught at gully by Ben Duckett, who took a flying catch.

Just when it looked like India were running out of options, the crowd witnessed a surprise — Rishabh Pant walked out to bat again after Shardul’s dismissal. Limping and clearly in pain, he got a standing ovation from the crowd.

Even with a broken right foot, Pant made the bold decision to return and face the England pacers. He struggled to run and could barely manage his singles, but the fact that he was out there showed his grit, courage, and fighting spirit.