Rishabh Pant showed incredible courage in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, battling through a painful foot injury to play a gutsy innings. But his brave effort came to an end when Jofra Archer bowled a stunning delivery that sent Pant’s off-stump cartwheeling in the 113th over on Day 2.
Rishabh Pant Battles Through Pain to Help India
The ball was a peach. Coming from around the wicket, Archer landed it on a perfect length, and it zipped past Pant’s bat before crashing into the stumps. The off-stump flew through the air before bouncing back and settling into the ground. It was a rare and dramatic sight. Pant, who had scored a fighting 54 off 75 balls with three fours and two sixes, walked off to a standing ovation from the Manchester crowd.
No better ASMR in cricket 🔊
Jofra Archer has Rishabh Pant's poles flying ✈️
🇮🇳 3️⃣4️⃣9️⃣-9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ja65MyYP6k
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025
His innings was all the more special given the condition he was in. On Day 1, Pant took a painful blow to the foot while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. The ball struck his boot hard, forcing him to retire hurt on 37. Scans later revealed a fracture, and the BCCI confirmed he would not keep wickets for the rest of the match, though he would bat if needed.
And needed he was. After Shardul Thakur’s dismissal in the 102nd over, Pant slowly limped his way back to the middle. The crowd cheered him on as he came down the stairs, visibly in discomfort but determined to help the team.
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer ruthlessly target Rishabh Pant
Despite his pain, Rishabh Pant managed to build momentum and started attacking the English bowlers. However, not everyone on the field showed the same spirit of sportsmanship. England captain Ben Stokes was caught on camera closely watching Pant’s injured foot and then targeting it with yorker-length deliveries. Stokes also mocked Rishabh Pant for hobbling between the wickets, flashing a cheeky smile and pretending to check his watch, suggesting Pant was wasting time.
Jofra Archer followed suit, trying to hit Pant’s injured foot directly with full-length deliveries. Though he didn’t quite succeed in that aim, Rishabh Pant responded in style by smashing him for a six, showing he wasn’t going down without a fight.
Pure dedication 🇮🇳🫡
Even Ben Stokes couldn’t hold back the praise as @RishabhPant17 showed next-level grit, batting through injury & still scoring for the team.#ENGvIND 👉 4th TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/Y3btplYguV pic.twitter.com/bJmYy70n8U
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 24, 2025
Rishabh Pant hobbling to the crease, and Ben Stokes, cheeky smile on his face, pretends to point at his watch 😂 #ENGvIND
— David Charlesworth (@charlie_4444) July 24, 2025
Still, the injury eventually caught up with him, and Jofra Archer had the final say with a delivery that will be talked about for a long time.
With the fifth and final Test approaching, the BCCI has confirmed that Rishabh Pant will miss the match due to the fracture. Wicketkeeping duties will continue with Dhruv Jurel, while India will hope to build on the momentum created by Pant’s courageous knock.
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