Ben Stokes Targets Rishabh Pant's Fractured Toe With Yorkers, Leaves Internet Fuming
Rishabh Pant showered tremendous grit and determination to overcome his injury to slam a brilliant half-century during Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford.
- Rishabh Pant scored 54 despite a fractured right foot during Day 2 at Old Trafford
- Social media users were not happy with Ben Stokes targeting Rishabh Pant's injured toe with yorkers
- Rishabh Pant was not bothered by the yorkers as he went on to score a gritty half-century
Rishabh Pant showered tremendous grit and determination to overcome his injury to slam a brilliant half-century during Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford. Pant, who retired hurt on Day 1 after getting hit on his foot, came back to bat after Shardul Thakur's dismissal and went on to score a vital half-century. However, the social media was not happy with England skipper Ben Stokes' tactic against the wicket-keeper batter. Stokes targeted Pant's injured foot with several yorkers that left social media users fuming. However, Pant was not bothered by the onslaught as he launched a swift counter-attack and slammed Jofra Archer for a mammoth six to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Stokes targetting Pant's left leg which is fair but then same English side will whine if our bowlers bowl short at tail enders.
— Archer (@poserarcher) July 24, 2025
Coming to the match, Half centuries from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley have put England in a commanding position after skipper Ben Stokes took his first five-wicket haul in eight years on day two of fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
#IndvEng Ball almost hitting Pant on his right foot again..
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) July 24, 2025
This is very tough to watch.. He is playing with a broken foot...
Still taking the pacers on..
Hats off Pant.. pic.twitter.com/NWq5ckYf8f
At stumps, England reached 225/2 in 46 overs and trail India by 133 runs. Stokes' 5-72 helped England bowl out India for 358 – with Rishabh Pant coming out to bat and making a courageous 54 despite a fractured right foot - a knock that will be remembered for ages to come.
Duckett (94) and Crawley (84) then put on a superb opening partnership of 166 off 195 balls to rattle India - falling before reaching their respective centuries. But with Joe Root and Ollie Pope unbeaten on 11 and 20 respectively, England will be confident to get a big score and take a first innings lead.
The final session started with Crawley thumping three boundaries, before he and Duckett reached their fifties in 73 and 46 balls respectively. Despite Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja brought into the bowling attack, there was no stopping boundaries as Crawley continued to play his shots with immaculate ease.
India finally had a breakthrough on the last ball of the 32nd over when Crawley edged a turning ball from Jadeja and KL Rahul took a low catch at first slip, as he fell for 84 off 13 balls. Duckett also smacked three boundaries off Mohammed Siraj, before missing his century when he chased a short and wide delivery from Anshul Kamboj and nicked behind to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel to give the pacer his first Test wicket.
Root and Pope then took the watchful route, with the former surviving an lbw appeal off Jasprit Bumrah due to the ball's impact being outside of stumps. The duo ensured that England didn't lose any more wickets in the last 30 minutes before the day's play ended in their favour.
(With IANS inputs)
Rishabh Pant
Jofra Archer
Ben Stokes
India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team