Finding a sunny day that lasts more than an hour! Scoring one with a broken foot. That’s exactly what Rishabh Pant did in Manchester, and he reminded everyone why he is one of the bravest cricketers of this generation. Unfortunately, the fairytale ends at The Oval. The fifth Test will proceed without Pant, who is recovering from a fractured right foot. And while India tries to reconfigure its team, fans are still trying to process the fact that their superstar played with that injury. Let’s unpack what this means—for the team, for Pant, and India’s Test future.
Playing Through Pain: Pant’s Bravery at Manchester
It wasn’t merely a brave innings from Pant in Manchester; it was one for the ages. On Day 2, Pant attempted a cheeky scoop off Chris Woakes and took an unfortunate blow to his foot. It looked painful. It was. A fracture was confirmed the same evening. But in a true Pant fashion, the man walked out the next day and scored fifty on one leg, limping, hobbling, and counter punching with flair in typical Pant fashion.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was not overstating when he referred to Pant’s effort the next day as “the foundation this team will be built on”. Grit like that is not coached but part of a player’s DNA. This was about more than runs; it was about a standard of attitude and resilience, and showing the next generation what it means to put the team first. Cricket is a team game, yes, but some moments summon the legacies.
Jagadeesan’s Big Break – But a Tough Act to Follow
As Pant recovers from injury, Jagadeesan has been handed a chance to prove himself at the highest level. Jagadeesan has an impressive record in Tests and List A cricket, but it’s a baptism of fire for him to be asked to join the Test squad at such short notice, particularly with the series tied. He is presumably not going to walk straight into the XI, but the fact that Jagadeesan is being brought in demonstrates the meager red-ball wicket-keeping stocks in India.
If Dhruv Jurel keeps the gloves at The Oval, it will almost certainly be about how India survives the absence of not only Pant’s runs, but also his energy behind the stumps and X-factor with the bat. It is hard to replace a player who can change a dull session in cricket with one impulsive stroke of the bat! Even with his distinct abilities, Jagadeesan will likely be judged through the lens of Pant’s absence.
Read Also: Why Picking Narayan Jagadeesan to Replace Rishabh Pant?
Oval Challenge: A Final Test Without the X-Factor
Pant’s absence is significant, given that India is at par with the opposition. Not just runs, but they need momentum, and more often than not, it’s Pant who adds the spark. While Pant has a way of counterattacking suddenly and boldly to shift the momentum from England’s favour to India’s, what’s ironic is that India returns to London’s The Oval—without their firestarter.
India has rejuvenated their bowling attack, with both Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep returning to add pace and depth to their bowling attack. KL Rahul is also available after having regained his fitness, but Pant’s lift in morale is not easily replicated. It’s not just about the skills in the final test; it’ll be about taking those moments. Away from Pant, India will have to find their conviction elsewhere, by either a Dogged Jadeja, a young Gill’s captain’s knock, or a bursting Bumrah spell.
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