Title: Karun Nair applauds Rishabh Pant’s ‘astonishing’ feat
The 2025 England-India Test series will go down in history as one of the most thrilling and memorable encounters between the two cricketing giants. The series, which saw India emerge victorious, was marked by several standout performances, but one moment that has left a lasting impression on the cricketing fraternity is Rishabh Pant’s gritty decision to bat while injured in Manchester.
In a recent chat with ESPN Cricinfo, Karun Nair, a former India batsman, singled out Pant’s courageous display as the most astonishing feat of the series. “To see Rishabh walk out to bat with a broken toe – it was one of the moments of the series,” Nair said, his voice filled with admiration.
Pant’s display of grit and determination in the second Test match at Old Trafford was nothing short of remarkable. Despite suffering a broken toe in the first innings, Pant refused to give up and instead, chose to bat with the pain, determined to help his team salvage a draw.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman’s decision to take the field was met with widespread applause from the Indian dressing room, and Nair, who has played alongside Pant for India, was no exception. “It’s not easy to walk out to bat with a broken toe, let alone play with it,” Nair said. “Rishabh’s display of courage and determination was a testament to his mental toughness and resilience.”
Pant’s innings, though not a massive one, was crucial in India’s fightback against England’s bowling attack. He scored 42 off 76 balls, helping India to reach a respectable total of 284 in their second innings. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 54, proved to be the turning point in the match, as the duo added 83 runs for the seventh wicket.
India’s victory in the series, which they won 3-1, was built on the back of some outstanding individual performances, but Pant’s display of courage and determination in Manchester will be remembered as one of the highlights of the series.
Nair, who has played 25 Tests for India, has seen his fair share of tough matches and has often spoken about the importance of mental toughness in cricket. “Cricket is a game of mental toughness, and Rishabh’s display in Manchester was a perfect example of that,” Nair said. “It’s not just about playing with pain, it’s about being able to overcome it and still perform to the best of your abilities.”
Pant’s display in Manchester has also drawn praise from fans and pundits alike, with many hailing him as a hero for his courage and determination. The incident has also sparked a debate about the importance of player welfare in cricket, with many calling for greater measures to be taken to protect players from injury.
In the end, Pant’s display in Manchester will go down as one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 England-India Test series. His courage and determination will be remembered for years to come, and will serve as an inspiration to young cricketers around the world.
