Manchester, July 25 -- Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Dinesh Karthik paid a heart-stirring tribute to vice-captain Rishabh Pant for his "special" act of coming out to bat for India with an injured right foot on the second day of the fourth Test against England in Manchester.

After brushing away a finger injury concern in the third Test, Pant stepped on the crease under the gloomy sky of Manchester. In the 68th over on the opening day, Pant went to reverse sweep Chris Woakes but sustained a blow on his foot.

The swelling was visible immediately, and blood dripped slowly when Pant removed his boot. The pain was intense and visible on his face. He retired hurt on 37(54) at that time, couldn't walk back and went off the ground on a golf...