India, July 25 -- Fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur hailed Rishabh Pant for his courageous batting effort as he came out to bat with a fractured foot to bail India out of a tricky situation on Day 2 of the Manchester Test. The wicketkeeper batter was retired hurt on Day 1 after injuring his foot, but he battled through the pain and decided to bat on Thursday after India lost Shardul's wicket. He crafted a resilient 54 off 75 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and two towering sixes, before his courageous knock was cut short by Jofra Archer, who knocked him over.

Shardul acknowledged Pant's efforts to come out to middle and said it was always the team's plan to get him bat on Day 2. He noted that Pant's decision to return was ye...