'Hate this so much': Rishabh Pant voices frustration over toe fracture as injury layoff halts his momentum

Rishabh Pant vents out raw frustration on Instagram over fractured toe. (Photo: X and Instagram)

Rishabh Pant has been sidelined since the fourth Test of India’s recently concluded series against England, and his absence is set to continue for a while after suffering a toe fracture during that match. Still recovering, the wicketkeeper-batter took to Instagram to share his frustration, posting a photo of his injured toe with the caption, “I hate this so much.”

The injury occurred in the Old Trafford Test, when Pant attempted one of his trademark ramp shots against Chris Woakes but misjudged the delivery. The ball struck his foot, leaving him with a painful fracture. Despite the setback, he returned later in the innings and fought through the discomfort to score a gritty half-century—a knock that drew praise from teammates, opponents, and cricket fans alike. His effort proved vital in helping India secure a draw in that match.

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This wasn’t Pant’s first show of resilience during the series. In the third Test at Lord’s, he had injured his finger while keeping wickets in the first innings but still came out to bat, smashing another well-made fifty.

However, the seriousness of the foot injury ruled him out of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. India went on to win the decider by a narrow margin of six runs, leveling the series 2-2. Though Pant missed the finale, his earlier contributions had already left a strong impression on the series.

The contest as a whole will be remembered for its intensity and balance, with both sides pushing each other to the limit. Shubman Gill, leading India in Tests for the first time, emerged as the batting star with a remarkable 754 runs in five matches. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja also crossed the 500-run mark, adding depth to India’s batting. On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj shone brightest, claiming 23 wickets and delivering a decisive five-wicket haul in the final Test to clinch victory at The Oval.