Aakash Chopra, a former player for India, has praised Rishabh Pant for playing despite having a suspected fractured toe on Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England. Given that the wicketkeeper-batter had returned to cricket following a near-fatal car accident, he said the injury was inconsequential.
On Thursday, July 24, India was knocked out for 358 in their first innings in Manchester, with Pant scoring 54 runs off 75 deliveries. In the first innings at Stumps, England was 225/2, 133 runs behind the visitors.
The former India opener, in a video posted on his YouTube account ‘Aakash Chopra,’ mentioned Anil Kumble’s valiant spell against the West Indies and commended Pant for his bravery.
“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 wasn’t able to walk or stand and was taken out in a cart.”
Aakash Chopra
“An MRI and X-ray were done, and we came to know that he has been ruled out for six weeks. Forget this match, the guy was out of the entire series. However, he said he would bat. How will you break a guy whose spirit is unbreakable? If someone has defeated death, how will he accept defeat over such small things?.”
Aakash Chopra
Rishabh Pant retired hurt on Day 1 after a Chris Woakes delivery landed on his foot. At the fall of the sixth wicket, the Indian vice-captain added 17 runs to his overnight total despite reportedly being out for six weeks.
“Sport Is Just a Small Part of Life” – Aakash Chopra on Rishabh Pant Battling Injury to Bat on Day 2 of 4th Test
Aakash Chopra pointed out in the same video that Rishabh Pant would not have been made to bat, emphasizing that life is much more important than sports.
“The choice was given to him. He was asked whether he would be able to play because in all such situations, no one asks you to go and play. They leave it to you because sport has its place, but sport is just a small part of life. Sport is not life. Life is much bigger than that.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator also stated that the 27-year-old won everyone’s hearts and scored a few big hits despite being targeted on his injured foot.
“However, when a player is standing against all odds, he thinks he needs to do that for his country. Mad, mad respect for you. He won my heart, and not only mine. Everyone at the Old Trafford ground stood up and applauded him. I wasn’t surprised but slightly sad that England were trying to hit his legs. You try to hit a player where he is injured, but he played a few good shots despite that.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra concluded by admitting that runners are no longer permitted due to past instances of players abusing their position. However, he believed that in the future, the International Cricket Council (ICC) ought to think about permitting a runner or replacement player, similar to the concussion substitute, for such obvious injuries.
