5 instances of valor when cricketers played despite injuries ft. Rishabh Pant

Overview

• Rishabh Pant came out to bat despite suffering a toe fracture in the Manchester Test 2025
• Likewise, some other cricketers had displayed similar valor in the field despite having an injury
• Graeme Smith, Malcolm Marshall, Anil Kumble, and Nathan Lyon had pulled off similar feats

Cricket is considered a game of casuals and was treated to be not too professional for a long time. One of the most popular sports in the world has evolved to be a highly physical one, where the players do not shy away from giving their all, quite literally, as there are instances when players decided to shrug off their injuries to continue playing.

It is never easy to play while suffering a major injury due to the pain and the potential fear of getting hurt exactly on the injured spot. However, some cricketers did not care for anything as such, as they decided to do everything in their might to try and help their bit in ensuring their team's win, which ensured cricket's win as a professional sport.

5 instances of valor when cricketers decided to play despite severe injuries

Malcolm Marshall against England in the Headingley Test, 1984

In the first innings of the third Test against England in Headingley, Leeds, in 1984, Malcolm Marshall broke his thumb twice. As the West Indies was reduced to 190/9 with Larry Gomes on the verge of scoring his hundred, Marshall did the unthinkable, as he walked out to bat with a beaming smile.

It mentally demoralized the English players, as Marshall stood his ground by batting with a single hand and helped Gomes score a ton. With the ball, he ran through the English batting lineup by claiming 7/53, restricting the home side to 159. The West Indies won the match and Marshall became the hero of the match.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant injury update: Will wicketkeeper batter feature in remainder of Manchester Test?

Anil Kumble against the West Indies in the Antigua Test, 2002

In the fourth Test of the series between India and the West Indies in Antigua, Anil Kumble was hit on his mouth by Mervyn Dillon, as the blood spew out of the Indian cricketer, leaving his jaw completely broken and displaced. While India scored 513/9, their chances of winning the Test reduced due to Kumble's jaw injury.

However, to everyone's shock, Kumble came out to bowl with a bandaged face and delivered 14 overs and even took the wicket of Brian Lara. While the home side scored 629/9 and the match ended in a draw eventually, Kumble's commitment won the hearts of the cricket fans.

Also Check: Can Dhruv Jurel bat in Rishabh Pant's absence in Manchester Test?

Graeme Smith against Australia in the Sydney Test, 2009

In the first innings of the New Year Test in Sydney in 2009, Australia posted 445 on the board. In reply to it, South Africa was off to a flier, thanks to an aggressive 30 by Graeme Smith. What followed was unfortunate, as the Southpaw was hit by a thunderous ball from Mitchell Johnson, which fractured his left hand.

South Africa scored 327 in their first innings and the home side replied with 257/4, setting a target of 376. Chasing the big target, the visiting side was reduced to 257/9 with only Smith lefto to bat. In a moment of bravery, the Southpaw walked out to bat and played 17 deliveries before getting dismissed, as Australia won by 103 runs.

Read More: ENG vs IND Manchester Test: Anshul Kamboj makes debut, Karun Nair dropped, Akash Deep rested

Nathan Lyon against England in the Lord's Test, 2023

After leading the series 1-0, Australia came to the Lord's Test in the Ashes 2023. Australia posted 416 on the board on the back of Steve Smith's hundred. In reply to it, England was reduced to 325. While fielding, Nathan Lyon twisted his calf badly. The star spinner seemed to be in severe pain and was taken off the field.

In the second innings, Australia's nine wickets had fallen for 264, when Lyon walked out to bat to a huge cheers from the fans. The right-handed batter scored 4(13) and ran by limping on numerous instances. Australia went on to win the Test by 43 runs to go 2-0 up in the series, while Lyon was praised for his courage.

Rishabh Pant against England in the Manchester Test, 2025

The most recent instance is that of Rishabh Pant walking out to bat despite suffering a toe fracture in the first innings of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Manchester. On Day 1 of the Test, Pant tried to play reverse sweep against Chris Woakes and ended up hurting his toe, resulting in a fracture.

Coming into the game, Pant hadn't fully recovered from the finger injury he sustained in the Lord's Test, where Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in his absence. Pant's bravery was on full display, as he walked out to bat and added 17 runs to his total to score 54 despite having severe pain.