While millions hailed Rishabh Pant’s brave effort to bat with a fractured foot in the Manchester Test, some cricket legends weren’t as forgiving. A debate has now emerged over whether the Indian wicketkeeper took too long to walk out — with some even suggesting he should have been timed out.
Applause From Fans, But Doubts in the Legends Lounge
The moment Pant limped down the Old Trafford dressing room stairs, fans and journalists alike stood and cheered. Battling pain and barely able to walk, he popped painkillers, took injections, and still managed to grind out a vital 54 for India — an effort that reminded many of Anil Kumble’s iconic spell with a broken jaw.
But inside the legends lounge, opinions were far less sympathetic.
“He’s milking that injury. It can’t be that bad,” said former England cricketer David Lloyd on talkSPORT.
“He milked it, coming down those steps, and one or two even said, ‘He should be timed out.’”
A Rule Rarely Used, But Not Forgotten
Pant’s slow return to the crease after the fall of Shardul Thakur reignited discussions around the little-used “timed out” rule. It’s almost never enforced, but it exists. And for some, Pant’s walk pushed that boundary.
Lloyd compared the moment to Nathan Lyon’s appearance during the 2023 Ashes, when the Aussie spinner, barely able to stand, rushed to avoid a time penalty at Lord’s. Unlike Lyon, Pant took his time — and it didn’t go unnoticed.
Time for Substitutes for External Injuries?
Beyond the timing issue, the situation has sparked a deeper conversation about fairness and player safety. With Pant clearly in no condition to continue, India had to send Dhruv Jurel to keep wickets — but by rule, Jurel couldn’t bat in Pant’s place.
Former India keeper Parthiv Patel feels the rules should remain untouched. But Lloyd sees an opportunity for change.
“I’m against runners, but I support substitutes for external injuries,” he explained.
“If someone’s out for six weeks with a fracture, why not allow a like-for-like sub? Just don’t replace a batter with a spinner.”
Pant’s effort was nothing short of heroic. But the sharp criticism from some corners of the cricketing world shows that not everyone views grit and delay the same way. His innings may go down in history — but so might the controversy it sparked.
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