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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has disclosed the remarkable conversation that he had with Rishabh Pant ahead of the fourth Test against England. Notably, Pant had sustained an injury to his left index finger during England's first innings of the third Test at Lord's which saw him not being able to keep wickets for the side. Dhruv Jurel was called in as a replacement and fulfilled the wicketkeeping duties for the Men in Blue for the rest of the match.
Shastri revealed that he had met Pant ahead of the fourth Test and had asked him whether he will be able to feature in the next match and if his finger was broken. The 27-year-old courageously replied that he will feature in the game even with a broken finger.
Pant was ready to play even with a broken finger
"Before this Test I asked him how is that finger? Toota toh nahi hai? (it is not broken right?) You play this game. He said of course I'll play. Toota bhi hota toh khelta (even if it was broken I would play)," Shastri said in a video released by the BCCI.
Fortunately for Pant, his finger wasn't broken and he was thus included in India's playing XI for the fourth Test. However, things got worse for the wicketkeeper-batter during the first day of the match as a delivery from Chris Woakes hit him hard on his right foot. The left-hander wasn't even able to stand properly after this and was forced to retire hurt on 37. He was staright away taken to a nearby hospital for scans and the reports ended up confirming India's worst fear.
Pant had fractured his toe and the doctors had advised him to rest for the next six weeks, ruling him out of the remainder of the England series. However, despite having seriously injured his toe, Pant decided to join the Indian squad once again at Old Trafford and also made himself available to bat as per the team requirements. He took the field on Day 2 and resumed his inning after Shardul Thakur lost his wicket for 41, leaving India on 314/6.
The 27-year-old batted through the pain and went on to bring up a heroic half-century. Though he soon went on to lose his wicket to Jofra Archer for 54, his courage and determination earned him a special praise from Shastri and many other greats of the game.
"What he did today for the team, if that doesn't lift the team up, nothing will. He just wants to play. He loves playing Test cricket. He loves playing for the country. If anyone doubted he was a teamman, they got to see it firsthand today," Shastri stated.
Pant's knock which was laced with three boundaries and two sixes, was key in taking India's total over the 350-run mark. This gritty effort from the left-hander once again proved his reputation as a fearless cricketer. Though Pant won't be seen wicketkeeping for the rest of the match and will most likely be ruled out of the fifth Test due to his injury, his valiant contribution with the bat at Old Trafford will be remembered by Indian fans for a very long time.
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