In a display of sheer resilience and commitment, India‘s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh pant showcased remarkable bravery on Day 2 of the Manchester Test against England. Pant, who  retired hurt on Day 1 after suffering a fractured toe while playing a reverse sweep, stunned everyone by walking back out to bat the next morning.

Despite the immense physical discomfort, Pant stood tall for his side when they needed him the most. With India in a tricky situation, the vice-captain returned to the crease and dug deep, managing to put up a valiant 54-run knock. His contribution was pivotal in guiding India to a competitive first innings total of 358.

Crowd applauds Rishabh Pant’s courage with a standing ovation

The moment Pant re-entered the field was nothing short of emotional. As he limped down the steps at Old Trafford with a clear expression of grit and determination, the entire stadium rose to its feet. English fans, Indian supporters, and even neutrals united in applause, acknowledging the cricketer’s courage to face hostile bowling despite a serious injury.

Social media was abuzz with admiration as fans, former cricketers, and analysts lauded Pant’s spirit. Several users shared videos and photos of the standing ovation, calling it a “goosebumps moment” and one of the most inspiring scenes of the series.

Fans accuse England of poor sportsmanship over tactics of targeting injured Pant

However, what followed left many cricket fans disappointed. England bowlers, including skipper Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archerwere seen aiming a flurry of yorkers directly at Pant’s injured foot. While aggressive bowling is part of the game, the consistent targeting of a visibly wounded player did not sit well with spectators.

A barrage of reactions poured in on social media, with many accusing the England team of lacking sportsmanship. Hashtags like #ShameOnEngland and #RespectPant began trending, as fans expressed their discontent over the deliberate attempts to exploit Pant’s injury.

Here’s how fans reacted: