IND vs ENG: Aakash Chopra lauds Rishabh Pant as he continues to bat through pain, England criticized

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant showed an indomitable spirit and determination as he batted through pain with a fractured toe on Day 2 of the fourth test between India and England at Old Trafford on Thursday. Pant fought hard as he walked out to bat despite injury at No. 6, scoring 54 off 75 balls in the first innings, helping India post 358 as they batted first. This grit, resolve, and performance were lauded by former India opener turned commentator Aakash Chopra. 

Apart from India's play, what drew attention was Pant's spirit! Seeing his courage, Aakash Chopra drew comparisons with some of the legendary moments in the cricket world throughout history, as Anil Kumble once did for India. 

Chopra took to his YouTube channel saying, "The first talking point is Rishabh Pant and his spirit. He reminded me of Anil bhai, who bowled with a broken jaw in Antigua and picked up a wicket. It wasn't necessary, but he did it. Here, Rishabh Pant was not able to walk or stand and was taken out in a cart. He said he would bat. How do you break a guy whose spirit is unbreakable?"

The former India opener stated the importance of Pant's return to the pitch after he survived a deadly car crash in December 2022. Adding further, "If someone has defeated death, how will he accept defeat over such small things?"

Most importantly, Pant's decision to bat through injury was voluntary, completely his own. Chopra clarified, "No one would have forced him. In such situations, sports isn't life - life is much bigger. The choice was his." 

Chopra was all praises for Pant, hailing his patriotism and firm resolve. He said, "When a player is standing against all odds, he thinks he needs to do it for his country. Mad, mad respect. He won my heart, and not only mine. Everyone at Old Trafford stood and applauded him." 

Chopra also expressed sadness over England's tactics. Adding, "I wasn't surprised but slightly sad that England tried to hit his legs. Still, he played a few good shots despite that."

England finished Day 2 posting 225/2, trailing by only 133 runs. Fans also took to social media to criticize England bowlers for targeting Rishabh Pant's fractured toe. One of the fans wrote, "The self-proclaimed representatives of the spirit of cricket are bowling yorkers at the feet of a batter with a broken foot." Another one wrote, "This isn't tactical. It's predatory." "Spirit of cricket is dead," said another one.