Manchester, July 24 -- In one of the most courageous displays seen on a cricket field, Rishabh Pant batted through intense pain from a fractured toe to score a vital half-century for India on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England in Manchester. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was rushed to the hospital in the morning for scans, walked out to bat despite the injury and ended up scoring a valiant 54 off 75 balls, an innings laced with three boundaries and two sixes before being bowled by Jofra Archer.

Pant's bravery didn't go unnoticed in the Indian camp. Shardul Thakur, speaking at the post-day press conference, lauded his teammate's commitment to the team's cause.

"I think it was always our plan. There were quite a few efforts from the ...