India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir reserved high praise for Rishabh Pant for displaying grit, determination and dedication in the IND vs ENG 4th Test. Despite suffering a fractured toe a day earlier, the southpaw came out to bat when the team needed him in the 1st innings. Although he struggled to walk, Pant braved through the pain to slam a gritty fifty – something that not only impressed Team India but the opposition England and their fans as well.
“Son of the country…”
In a video uploaded by BCCI, head coach Gambhir – in a pep talk in the dressing room – was heard telling the team that the foundation of the Test side was based on what Pant had done for the side. The head coach claimed that while he never spoke about individuals in a team sport, the Indian vice-captain had not only inspired the dressing room but also the future generation.
“The foundation for this team will be based on what you Rishabh Pant have done for this team. I hate talking about individuals, have never spoken about them in a team sport. You’ve not only inspired the dressing room but have inspired the future generation,” Gambhir said.
When Rishabh Pant injured his right toe, trying to reverse sweep Chris Woakes, on day 1 of the Manchester Test, it looked like there was no chance that he could bat again in the series. But then Pant lived up to his reputation of presenting something to the opposition, that they did not expect. Coming into bat early on Day 2, after the departure of Ravindra Jadeja, injured Pant was welcomed with a standing ovation by the crowd.
And after limping a few runs, he decided, that going for the shots would be a better option. First he pulled Jofra Archer for a massive six, down the mid-wicket boundary, and then in the next over, followed that up with a block against Ben Stokes, that raced away to the boundary, to hand Rishabh Pant his 17th Test fifty of the career.
