• England bowlers were seen aiming a flurry of yorkers directly at Rishabh Pant's injured foot on Day 2 of Manchester Test.

  • Social media slammed the England team for displaying poor sportsmanship.

ENG vs IND: Fans slam England for deliberately targeting Rishabh Pant’s fractured toe on Day 2 of Manchester Test
Fans slam England for targeting Rishabh Pant fractured toe (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

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.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Sachin Tendulkar salutes Rishabh Pant’s warrior knock for India amid toe fracture on Day 2 of Manchester Test

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 Archer, were 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:

Also READ: 10 stitches after scooty fall: Reason why Ishan Kishan can’t replace injured Rishabh Pant

Subscribe to Cricket Times on YouTube to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: England Featured Rishabh Pant Test Twitter Reactions

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.