Rishabh Pant showed immense courage and resilience on Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester, as he battled through injury to notch up a gutsy half-century. After retiring hurt late on Day 1 due to a painful blow to his right foot, Pant returned to the crease following Shardul Thakur’s dismissal and played a crucial knock under pressure, scoring a valiant 54 despite what was later confirmed to be a fractured foot.
Pant’s return was met with controversy, however, as England captain Ben Stokes came under fire on social media for his aggressive tactics. Stokes instructed his bowlers to target Pant’s injured foot with yorkers, a move many fans and pundits called unsportsmanlike. But Pant, unfazed by the hostile tactics, responded with a fierce counterattack, even smashing Jofra Archer for a towering six that electrified the Old Trafford crowd.
#IndvEng Ball almost hitting Pant on his right foot again..
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) July 24, 2025
This is very tough to watch.. He is playing with a broken foot…
Still taking the pacers on..
Hats off Pant.. pic.twitter.com/NWq5ckYf8f
Despite Pant’s heroics, it was England who ended the day firmly on top. Stokes produced a memorable spell of bowling, claiming 5 for 72, his first five-wicket haul in nearly eight years to help bowl India out for 358. Pant’s brave knock stood out in an innings where few managed to convert starts into big scores.
Stokes targetting Pant's left leg which is fair but then same English side will whine if our bowlers bowl short at tail enders.
— Archer (@poserarcher) July 24, 2025
In reply, England’s top order laid the foundation for a strong response. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley put on a dominant 166-run partnership at a rapid pace, rattling the Indian attack with their aggressive strokeplay. Duckett fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 94 after edging a wide delivery from debutant Anshul Kamboj, who picked up his maiden Test wicket. Crawley too missed out on a hundred, falling for 84 after nicking one off Ravindra Jadeja that was neatly taken by KL Rahul at slip.
By the time stumps were drawn, England had reached 225 for 2 in just 46 overs, trailing India by 133 runs. Joe Root (11) and Ollie Pope (20) remained unbeaten at the crease, adopting a more cautious approach after the openers’ fireworks. Root narrowly survived an lbw shout off Jasprit Bumrah thanks to umpire’s call, as England looked poised to take a first-innings lead heading into Day 3.
With the match finely poised and emotions running high – especially after Pant’s unforgettable effort, fans can expect more drama in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling chapter in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
