Rishabh Pant Plays With Broken Toe Like Anil Kumble: In the annals of cricket history, few moments capture the spirit of the game like warriors battling through excruciating pain for their country.
Rishabh Pant’s extraordinary innings with a fractured toe during the 4th Test against England at Manchester has etched his name alongside legendary Indian cricketers who turned physical agony into sporting glory.
On July 24, 2025, Pant shocked the cricket world by walking out to bat with a broken metatarsal in his right foot, extending his overnight score from 37 to a courageous 54.
Despite being advised six weeks of rest, the left-handed wicket-keeper hobbled onto the Old Trafford pitch to a thunderous standing ovation.
The Manchester Miracle: Pant’s Defiant Fifty
The Injury and Immediate Impact
Pant’s ordeal began during the final session of Day 1 when he attempted a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes. The full toss crashed into his right foot, causing immediate and unbearable pain.
When he removed his sock, it revealed an egg-sized lump, and he had to be carted off the field in a golf buggy1.
Scans confirmed the worst fears – a fractured toe that would typically sideline any player for weeks2. The BCCI sources revealed he was ruled out for six weeks, missing the remainder of the Test series.
The Courageous Comeback
Despite medical advice, Pant emerged in his whites as Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar added crucial runs. Just before lunch on Day 2, with India at 314 for 6, Pant hobbled out to bat, unable to do more than limp between wickets.
His brave effort yielded 54 runs off 75 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes. In the process, he equaled Virender Sehwag’s record of 90 sixes in Test cricket, achieving in just 47 Tests what took Sehwag 103 matches.
Sachin Tendulkar led the praise, posting: “Resilience is about playing through pain and rising above it.
@RishabhPant17 showed tremendous character by walking back into the game with an injury and delivering a performance like that”.
Legends Who Played Through Pain: The Hall of Courage
1. Anil Kumble – The Broken Jaw Hero (2002)
Perhaps the most iconic example of cricket courage belongs to Anil Kumble during the 2002 Test against West Indies in Antigua.
Hit on the jaw by a vicious Mervyn Dillon bouncer, Kumble was diagnosed with a broken jaw and advised immediate surgery.
Instead of flying home, Kumble returned to bowl with his jaw wrapped in protective tape.
He delivered 14 consecutive overs and dismissed the dangerous Brian Lara. The legendary spinner scored just 6 runs with his broken jaw but his bowling heroics helped secure a draw.
Viv Richards called it “one of the bravest things I’ve seen on the field of play”. Kumble only flew back to India for surgery after the match, embodying the fighting spirit that defines Indian cricket.
2. Rohit Sharma – The Broken Thumb Warrior (2022)
During the 2022 ODI series against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Rohit Sharma suffered a broken thumb while fielding at slips in the second over.
With India facing a heavy defeat, the captain made a heroic decision to bat despite the fracture.
Rohit smashed an unbeaten 51 off just 28 balls, including three boundaries and five magnificent sixes. His explosive knock brought India tantalizingly close to victory, falling short by just five runs despite the heroic effort.
The innings showcased Rohit’s leadership qualities and his willingness to put the team’s needs above personal comfort, setting an example for future generations.
3. Hanuma Vihari – The Sydney Gladiator (2021)
Hanuma Vihari’s heroic effort during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney remains one of Test cricket’s most courageous displays. Batting with a severe hamstring injury, Vihari faced 161 deliveries to score a painful 23 runs.
His innings, alongside R. Ashwin, helped India secure a miraculous draw against Australia. Unable to run properly, Vihari had to deny several scoring opportunities, but his grit and determination became the stuff of legend.
In a recent Ranji Trophy match, Vihari displayed similar courage by batting left-handed with a fractured forearm after being hit by Avesh Khan. Despite the injury requiring six weeks of rest, he continued playing to help his team.
4. Sachin Tendulkar – The Rib Cage Fracture (2007)
The Master Blaster joined this elite list during Pakistan’s 2007 tour of India. Hit on the rib cage by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery, Tendulkar later discovered he had broken two bones in his rib cage.
True to his never-say-die attitude, Sachin continued batting despite the excruciating pain, demonstrating why he remained India’s batting mainstay for over two decades.
The Spirit of Indian Cricket: Pain as Motivation
Cultural and Emotional Significance
These instances of playing through pain reflect the deep-rooted values in Indian cricket culture. The concept of “team before self” runs through each of these stories, where personal comfort takes a backseat to national pride.
The standing ovations these players receive demonstrate how fans appreciate courage over statistics.
Pant’s reception at Manchester, similar to Kumble’s global acclaim, shows that cricket transcends boundaries when human spirit is on display.
Medical Ethics and Player Safety
While these heroic efforts inspire millions, they also raise questions about player welfare and medical protocols.
Modern cricket has implemented stricter guidelines about playing through injuries, balancing competitive spirit with long-term player health.
The concussion substitute rule and improved medical facilities ensure that players like Pant receive proper assessment before making comeback decisions.
Impact on Team Morale and Results
Inspirational Leadership
Each of these injured warriors provided more than runs or wickets – they delivered psychological advantages to their teams. When teammates witness such dedication, it elevates the entire unit’s commitment level.
Pant’s effort in Manchester, though ending in a six-week injury layoff, sent a powerful message about Indian cricket’s fighting spirit to both teammates and opponents.
Tactical Considerations
Playing with injuries often limits a player’s shot-making ability, forcing them to adapt their natural game. Pant’s inability to put pressure on his foot changed his batting approach, while Vihari’s hamstring injury restricted his running between wickets.
These tactical adjustments often produce unexpected batting strategies that can confuse opposition bowlers and create match-winning moments.
Modern Cricket’s Evolution
Improved Medical Support
Today’s cricketers benefit from advanced medical facilities and sports science support that weren’t available during Kumble’s era. Immediate scans, better pain management, and physiotherapy support help players make informed decisions.
The presence of medical clearance protocols ensures that heroic efforts don’t compromise long-term careers, though the warrior spirit remains unchanged.
Technology and Recovery
Modern cricket’s use of substitute fielders, concussion protocols, and advanced rehabilitation techniques allows injured players to contribute while minimizing risks.
However, the fundamental choice between personal comfort and team success remains a testament to individual character, as demonstrated by Pant’s Manchester heroics.
Legacy and Future Inspiration
These stories of courage continue inspiring young cricketers across India and beyond. Pant’s fractured toe innings joins an illustrious list of Indian cricket’s most courageous moments, proving that the sport’s greatest victories often come from overcoming physical limitations.
The tradition of playing through pain, from Kumble’s broken jaw to Pant’s fractured toe, represents the undying spirit that makes Indian cricket special.
These warriors remind us that sometimes, the greatest victories aren’t measured in runs or wickets, but in the courage to stand up when everything hurts.
