On hearing the name of Rishabh Pant, what comes to mind is bindaas batting, no-fear style and now a passion that is winning the hearts of cricket fans.
In the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Pant did something that stunned everyone. Fracture in the toe, in pain, still he scored 54 runs.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra was impressed by him and said,
“How do you break a man who’s defeated death?”
This innings of Pant is also special because he narrowly escaped a dangerous car accident in 2022. That accident shook his life, but his courage? That is absolutely unbreakable.
Chopra said on his YouTube channel,
“If someone has defeated death, how will he give up on such small things?”
That is, how will small injuries stop the one who has defeated death?
Seeing Pant’s passion, Chopra was reminded of Anil Kumble, who bowled with a broken jaw in 2002.
Chopra said, “The first thing is Rishabh Pant and his spirit. He reminded me of Anil bhai, who bowled with a broken jaw in Antigua and took a wicket.”
Pant was unable to walk or stand, yet he came out to bat. He had to be taken off the field in a car, but he did not give up.
Chopra also clarified that Pant’s decision to come out on the field was his own.
“Nobody would have pressured him. In such situations, the game is not life—life is much bigger. The choice was his own.”
Seeing Pant’s passion, every spectator at Old Trafford stood up and applauded.
England’s strategy disappointed a bit.
Chopra said, “I wasn’t surprised, but I felt a bit sad that England tried to target his legs. Still, he played some great shots despite it.”
That is, England tried to take advantage of Pant’s injury, but Pant did not give up and hit some brilliant shots.
At the end of the day, England scored 225/2, but all the spotlight was on Pant.
