Why Has Rishabh Pant's Instagram Post About Toe Fracture Invited Trolls?

News18

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'Is he a soldier?' Rishabh Pant's Instagram post about his broken foot ended up on the wrong side of the Internet who mocked him for exaggerating his role for the country.
Rishabh Pant, India's wicketkeeper-batter, showed incredible grit and courage when he walked out to bat in the fourth Test despite being in tremendous pain after a freak incident that resulted in a toe fracture. After India secured a heroic draw at Old Trafford in Manchester, thanks to tons slammed by the southpaws Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Pant took to Instagram to share the aftermath of the injury that left him in a fracture cast. While the vice-captain of India has received immense support from the cricket fraternity for his unmatched display on the cricket field, his Instagram post ended up inviting trolls.
But why?
Rishabh Pant's Viral Instagram Post
The 27-year-old cricketer took to Instagram on Monday and acknowledged the love and support he has gotten from his fans after an on-field injury took him away from the action.
'Appreciate all the love and good wishes coming my way. It's been a real source of strength," Pant wrote in a heartfelt note. 'I will begin rehab once my fracture heals and I am slowly settling into the process. Staying patient, following the routines and giving it my 100%. Playing for the country has always been the proudest moment of my life. Can't wait to be back doing what I love."
Trolls Emerge
What was meant to be a harmless update to inform the worried fans about his leg situation soon became a target for countless Internet trolls.
Is he a soldier? The trolls reasoned that it was a profession for which he was paid handsomely, and he was being 'too dramatic" and could 'tone down" a bit, as he was playing a sport and not putting his life on the line.
'I don't know why these Cricketers think they are doing some national duty by playing cricket. Bro you are just playing for BCCI to get money and fame that's it. Stop this nonsense for milking sympathy every other day, (sic)" wrote one user on X.
'Never understood this overhyped 'playing for the country" narrative in cricket. It's a damn profession, not some sacred national service. You chose it, maybe out of passion, just like millions of others choose their careers. No teacher, or engineer throws up patriotism after work (sic)."
'Chill brodie you got injured playing a sport not while defending your country to type all that (sic)."
Despite the trolling, fans and well-wishers flooded Rishabh Pant with positive comments, praising his high spirits even though an injury forced him to miss the final Test between India and England at The Oval on Thursday, July 31.
Freak Injury
Batting on 37, Pant tried to reverse sweep a delivery bowled by Chris Woakes. His bat ended up under edging the ball that crashed onto his toe. The batter seemed in an awful amount of pain almost instantly, and when his shoe was taken off, the bruising and swelling showed the extent of the damage done. Such was the pain that Pant had to be carted off in a golf buggy.
Rishabh Pant's foot is bleeding and a lot of swelling as well. He is in a lot of pain. 🥺– Comeback strong, Champions! pic.twitter.com/4tAGcdLshG
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 23, 2025
Pant Walks Out Again
A hobbling Pant was seen climbing down the stairs at Old Trafford as he received a roaring reception from the home crowd. Realising that he had a key role to play, the cricketer returned with a broken toe to the crease after the fall of Shardul Thakur's wicket and India's scorecard reading 314/6 in the first innings. Pant notched up a gritty half-century before he was eventually undone by Jofra Archer.
Here comes Rishabh Pant…A classy reception from the Emirates Old Trafford crowd 👏 pic.twitter.com/vBwSuKdFcW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025
The cricket community was in awe at the sight of Pant's devotion for the team.
An ASTOUNDING innings from a hobbling Rishabh Pant comes to an end… 🎙️👏 pic.twitter.com/30bqcVbmS2 — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 24, 2025
India's Head Coach Gautam Gambhir praised Pant and asserted that the generations will speak of the cricketer who played with a broken foot.
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'The character and foundation of this team will be built on something what Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well. Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot," Gambhir told reporters on Sunday.
'Not many people have done that in the past. And he (Pant) put his hands up. And that is that is why I say that any amount of praise…I can sit here and talk about this for hours and hours. I think the generations will talk about this and generations ahead should talk about it that there is someone who batted with a broken foot," he added.
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 29, 2025, 09:30 IST
News explainers Why Has Rishabh Pant's Instagram Post About Toe Fracture Invited Trolls?
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