Rishabh Pant’s long road to recovery was supposed to end with cheers, not gasps. But in a haunting moment during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, his dream comeback nearly turned into another nightmare.

He had just started to regain his rhythm. The crowd, electrified by his confidence and charisma, watched as he prepared to take on England’s bowling attack with his signature flair. But then, out of nowhere, it happened—a reverse sweep attempt gone wrong. The ball didn’t fly off his bat. Instead, it struck his own foot. A direct, brutal hit to the same area weakened by the horrific car accident just two years ago.

There was no immediate scream, just a slow grimace. Then, his hand went to his foot. Then, he sat. And stayed sitting.

The air at Old Trafford changed. Even the English fans fell silent. Rishabh Pant wasn’t getting up. Within moments, medical staff sprinted across the field. The umpire waved in the stretcher. His teammates gathered, their expressions a blend of shock and dread. The man who had fought back from fire and bone to wear the Indian jersey again, was now being carted off the field, grimacing in pain.

Social media erupted. Hashtags like #PrayForPant and #RishabhInjured trended globally within minutes. The cricketing world, already scarred by the memory of his near-fatal car crash in 2022, braced for the worst.

And then came the BCCI’s statement.
“Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot during play. He was taken for scans. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress.”
Short. Clinical. And terrifying.

Fans knew what that meant. Silence from the doctors often meant uncertainty, or worse, serious concern.

For Pant, this was more than just pain—it was déjà vu of the cruelest kind. The young wicketkeeper-batsman had become a symbol of resilience after surviving a terrifying road accident that left him with multiple fractures, torn ligaments, and months of excruciating rehabilitation. Videos of him learning to walk again had inspired millions. His return to the pitch earlier this year had been hailed as nothing short of miraculous.

But now, as he lay inside a Manchester hospital, with his foot being scanned again, those same fans were holding their breath once more.

A source close to the team revealed, “It’s too early to say if it’s a fracture or ligament damage. But the location of the injury is concerning. That part of his foot has been through a lot. The medical staff is being extremely cautious.”

His teammates were visibly affected. Rohit Sharma, visibly shaken, said during the post-match interview, “It was hard to see him like that again. We just hope it’s not serious. He’s worked so hard to be here.”

The silence extended to the dressing room, where even the usual banter died out. Reports say that a few players remained seated long after the day’s play ended, unsure of how to process what had just happened.

Pant’s story has always been one of heart and hustle. From the narrow lanes of Roorkee to dominating at the Gabba, to fighting his way back from near-death—it’s been a script even Bollywood would hesitate to write. And through it all, he smiled. He joked. He fought. He believed.

Which is why this injury hits different. It’s not just about missing a Test. It’s about the fear of history repeating itself.

A former Indian cricketer, who mentored Pant during his U-19 days, tweeted: “He’s come back from worse. But God, I hope he doesn’t have to do it again.”

As of now, the team management is awaiting final scan results. While there’s no official word on whether he will be ruled out of the series, sources indicate that he is unlikely to take the field in the next match, at least.

Meanwhile, fans have flooded his social media with messages of support. “We believe in you, Rishabh,” wrote one. “You’re our fighter,” said another.

For now, India must prepare to face England without their talismanic keeper. But for millions, this series suddenly feels less important. What matters more is that Rishabh Pant—India’s phoenix—finds his wings again, no matter how long it takes.

Because if there’s one thing the world knows by now, it’s that Rishabh never gives up. And neither will we.