Veteran Indian commentator Vivek Razdan's commentary for a heroic walk from Rishabh Pant went viral on air on day two of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. Razdan, along with the spectators at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium in Manchester, paid respect to the hobbling keeper-batter.
Despite suffering a swollen toe on day one of the decisive Old Trafford Test, the Uttarakhand-born cricketer walked out to bat on day two and received a massive reception from the crowd. On day one, Pant had to be carried off on a golf cart after the wound on his toe was found to be bleeding.
Razdan said on air:
"Khade hoke taaliyon ke saath abhinandan kiya gaya tha. Rishabh Pant. Teri soch pe main chal nahin sakta. Tevar main apna badal nahin sakta. Mom ka putla samajh rakha hai kya?. Main hoon woh loha, jo koi loh se pighal nahin sakta."
(Rishabh Pant was welcomed with applause. I won't walk based on your thought. I won't change my attitude. Have You thought of me as a wax statue? I'm that steel that nothing can melt me.)
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Shardul Thakur's precious knock of 41 takes India's total past 300
Although Pant walking out to bat despite his injury gained the spotlight, Shardul Thakur deserved equal praise for his knock of 41 off 88 deliveries. After Jofra Archer dismissed Ravindra Jadeja for 20 only in his first over of the day, the home side had their tails up but Thakur and Washington Sundar weathered the storm.
Ben Stokes broke the partnership by nicking Thakur to Ben Duckett at slip for 41. It was then that Pant walked out but looked far from comfortable and was limping through his singles. Nevertheless, the players took early lunch on day two due to showers, 10 minutes before the scheduled one.
India had reached 321/6 at lunch but England ended stays of Sundar (27) and Pant (53) after lunch. The tourists were eventually bowled out for 358.
