England may have believed they had seen the last of Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, but the Indian wicketkeeper-batter had different plans. After retiring hurt on day one due to a foot injury, Pant made an impressive return on day two, hobbling to score a crucial half-century as India finished their innings at 358 all out. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, had an outstanding performance, taking 5 wickets for 72 runs.
Shardul Thakur, Pant’s teammate, commended his courage, noting, “He was in a lot of pain… this was just another amazing thing he did for the team.” Pant’s unexpected comeback, despite speculation of a fracture, added depth to India’s batting effort. England began strongly, led by an aggressive opening partnership of 166 runs between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who contributed 84 and 94 runs, respectively.
At the end of day two, England stood at 225 for 2, trailing by 133 runs and seemingly in a commanding position. The partnership saw them hit a flurry of boundaries, including 26 fours and a six, until Duckett fell just short of his century, caught by Dhurv Jurel, who was keeping in place of the injured Pant.
On Pant’s earlier departure, which was dramatic and painful following an awkward shot that resulted in a swollen foot, his return provided a morale boost for the Indian side. He came out to bat amidst applause from spectators, including many English fans, and resumed his innings starting from 37. This display of bravery was widely praised by commentators, with Michael Atherton calling it “the most remarkable 50, in the circumstances.”
As India resumed their innings, Pant’s gutsy performance continued until he reached 54 runs before being bowled by Jofra Archer. Even in his injured state, Pant’s presence posed questions for the English fielders about his running capacity, with Crawley noting the uncertainty in positioning the field.
England wasted no time in their response, as Crawley and Duckett kept the scoreboard ticking, reaching 77 runs without loss at tea. Despite a brief setback with Crawley’s dismissal, England’s momentum remained strong.
Stokes’s five-wicket haul further solidified his status as the series’ leading wicket-taker, an impressive feat after an eight-year gap since he last achieved five wickets in an innings. Stokes is celebrated not only for his bowling skills but also for his unwavering leadership and competitive spirit, qualities that Crawley acknowledged were essential for the team.
With England leading the five-match series 2-1, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion as both teams vie for supremacy in the ongoing competition.