Bowling fewer overs... it's difficult to find rhythm: Shardul says it's up to Gill
In the ongoing Manchester Test against England, Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur once again highlighted his value to the team. During India’s first innings, he played a vital knock of 41 runs off 88 balls, helping the team post a competitive total of 358. Despite his contribution with the bat, questions arose over his limited role with the ball on Day 2, as he bowled just 5 overs while other seamers delivered 10 or more. Even spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled 8 overs. Addressing the media after the day’s play, Shardul clarified that the decision to bowl him less was entirely up to the captain, Shubman Gill. He mentioned that though he could have bowled a couple more overs, the captain decides the bowling rotation. Shardul admitted that it can be challenging to find rhythm with such short spells but emphasized that he relies on his experience to manage.
Thakur also gave an update on wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, confirming that Pant suffered a fracture while batting on Day 1. Despite the injury, Pant managed to score a crucial fifty, significantly contributing to India’s total. Shardul praised the medical team for their efforts in getting Pant back on the field and lauded Pant’s determination and grit. He described Pant’s performance as another example of his remarkable commitment and ability to deliver in tough situations. Overall, Thakur’s remarks shed light on team strategy and highlighted Pant’s heroic effort despite his injury.
"Resilience is about playing through pain": Tendulkar lauds Pant's will power
India's legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar hailed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's will power as he came out to bat on the second day of the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Pant walked out to bat after the dismissal of Shardul Thakur for 41; the Manchester crowd rose to their feet and erupted in a massive cheer.
Pant smashed 54 runs off 75 balls, laced with three boundaries and two maximums.
Taking to X, Tendulkar wrote, "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. His fifty is a powerful reminder of the grit and determination it takes to represent your country. A brave effort, and one that will be remembered for a long time. Well played, Rishabh!"
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also took to Instagram and praised India's vice-captain.
"True spirit shows up when the spirit is indomitable! Injury can shake the body but not the mind, goodstuff @rishabhpant," Yuvraj wrote on Instagram.
Rishabh Pant continued to break records and win hearts, this time, with the bat in hand, even while limping.
The wicket-keeper-batter matched the legendary Virender Sehwag's record for the most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket. Both now have 90 sixes to their name in the longest format.
Pant, known for his fearless strokeplay, is now tied at the top with Sehwag, while India captain Rohit Sharma follows closely behind with 88 sixes. MS Dhoni has 78, and Ravindra Jadeja sits fifth on the list with 74 sixes.
If that wasn't enough, Pant also leapfrogged Rohit Sharma to become India's leading run-scorer in the World Test Championship (WTC) era. The southpaw now has 2731 runs from just 38 Test matches, which includes six centuries and sixteen fifties. Rohit, on the other hand, has 2719 WTC runs.
What makes Pant's achievement even more special is the context; he returned to bat on Thursday despite suffering a painful toe injury on Day 1 and still made a solid impact.
After Pant's fifty in Manchester in the fourth Test, now he has 14 fifty-plus scores, while Dhoni has thirteen fifties. The left-hander has six hundreds and eight fifties.(With inputs from Agencies)