ENG vs IND 2025: 'Generations will talk about your effort' – Gautam Gambhir hails Rishabh Pant's Manchester heroics

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was full of praise for Rishabh Pant’s courageous display with the bat during the Manchester Test, despite suffering a fracture in his foot. The injury, sustained on Day 1, forced Pant to leave the field in visible pain.

Remarkably, the wicketkeeper-batter returned to the crease on Day 2 and went on to complete his half-century, contributing vital runs to India’s total and setting the tone for a resilient fightback. Gambhir described Pant’s effort as a defining moment for the current Indian team, highlighting the knock not just for its impact on the scoreboard, but for the message it sent about character and commitment. Gambhir stated it would go a long way in shaping the team’s identity and mental toughness in the years to come.

"Rishabh already, it's been declared that he's out of the series. And one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on what Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well," said Gambhir in the post-match press conference.

Gambhir acknowledged that Pant’s decision to bat with a fractured foot was an extraordinary act, something not many players would attempt in similar circumstances.

"Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot. Not many people have done that in the past. And he had put his hand up, and that is why I say any amount of praise… I can sit here and talk about this for hours and hours. I think the generations to come forward will talk about this. And generations coming forward should talk about it, that there is someone who has batted with a broken foot. And it's unfortunate because of the kind of form he was in," Gambhir added.

Although Pant has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the series, Gambhir expressed hope for a speedy recovery, underscoring the wicketkeeper-batter’s pivotal role in India’s red-ball setup. He highlighted Pant’s importance not only for his dynamic batting but also for the overall balance he brings to the Test side.

"But again, he's an important member of the Test side. And I hope he recovers quickly and comes back quickly and try and deliver a game for us," he concluded.