India head coach Gautam Gambhir showered praise on Rishabh Pant for his heroic batting display against England in Manchester Test. The wicketkeeper-batter had suffered a big blow on the first day at Old Trafford and was hit hard on his right foot after missing a delivery from Chris Woakes. The left-hander wasn't even able to walk properly after this and was forced to retire hurt. He was soon taken to the hospital for scans and the reports showed that the 27-year-old had suffered a fractured toe.
Pant took the crease once again on Day 2
However, despite being advised to take a rest of six weeks, Pant rejoined the Indian team on the second day and made himself available to bat. He soon took the crease and resumed his inning on 37 and went on to score a gritty half-century. Though he got dismissed by Jofra Archer on 54, this batting display from the 27-year-old was nothing short of heroic. Gambhir highlighted the fact that Pant didn't back down to bat even with a broken foot and added that the coming generations will also be talking about his knock.
"Rishabh already, it's been declared that he's out of the series. And one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on what Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well," Gambhir said at the post-match press-conference.
"Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot. Not many people have done that in the past. And he had put his hand up, and that is why I say any amount of praise. I can sit here and talk about this for hours and hours. I think the generations to come forward will talk about this. And generations coming forward should talk about it, that there is someone who has batted with a broken foot. And it's unfortunate because of the kind of form he was in. But again, he's an important member of the Test side. And I hope he recovers quickly and comes back quickly and try and deliver a game for us," he added.
With Pant ruled out of the final Test of the series which is set to commence from July 31 at The Oval, it is likely that Dhruv Jurel will be getting a spot in the playing XI. The latter did keep the wickets for India in Pant's absence in the third Test and has previously featured in four Tests for the Men in Blue.
Meanwhile, the draw at Old Trafford means that the series winner will be decided in the fifth and final Test. Though India are out of running to win, they can manage to draw the series if they emerge victorious at the Oval. However, any other result would see England lift the first-ever edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.