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India Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Rishabh Pant: Cricket's resilient Sonchiriya dancing to destiny's music
In Abhishek Chaubey's Sonchiriya, a band of dacoits traveling through the Chambal ravines stumbles upon a dead snake. Fearing the local superstition that passing a dead snake brings a curse, the gang hesitates. But their leader, Man Singh (played by Manoj Bajpayee), lifts the carcass with his gun and moves it aside."Mai ka naam le ke aage badho," he says-invoke the goddess and keep Singh Rajput, in a tragic role with eerie foresight-reminds Man Singh that a dead snake's curse should not be taken lightly. "The curse won't vanish just by altering our route," Man Singh replies with a rueful Destiny. Inevitability. There's a phrase for this tragic dance coined by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: Amor Fati-love your fate, embrace cricketer Rishabh Pant's life embodies this dance of destiny. His life is a vivid reminder that sometimes the only option is to accept fate with Pant and the StalkerOn the first day of the fourth India-England Test, Pant suffered yet another injury. Attempting an audacious reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, he was struck on the ankle. His foot quickly swelled and reddened, and he had to be driven off the field. Experts now fear the injury may be serious, with Ricky Ponting suggesting Pant could have a broken metatarsal-a bone in the luck and injuries seem to pursue Pant like a relentless stalker. A Greek parable tells of a man who, warned of tragedy, escapes to a distant island, only to meet a hooded figure awaiting his arrival-his fate. This story could easily describe Pant's turbulent began the series brightly, playing with trademark flair and risk-taking bravado, but in the third Test, ran himself out to help KL Rahul reach a century. Earlier, a ball had thudded into his left hand, making batting in the second innings a struggle. Fears of a fracture arose, yet Pant returned for the fourth Test, ready to answer Bazball with Rishball. Or so we thought, while destiny schemed in the British Dance of FateIn March, Pant was seen dancing at his sister Sakshi's wedding in Mussoorie. Videos of him grooving to Dulhe Ka Sehra and Dama Dam Mast Qalandar alongside cricket legends MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina went viral. But his year has been a curious dance with destiny, full of sudden twists and year began with a high-high acquisition by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for Rs 27 crore, the highest in IPL history. But through the rest of the spring, Pant watched from the sidelines as India embraced glory and lifted the Champions Trophy. Once India's version 2.0 of MS Dhoni in limited overs cricket, Pant was made to warm the bench to accommodate KL Rahul's calm and experience. The IPL that followed was a blur of memes, snarls before redemption. As a batter, Pant struggled the entire season, his franchise failed to qualify for the final rounds, giving haters an opportunity to mock his decision to choose LSG, ostensibly for career seemed back on track after the first three Tests in England, his batting reaching the same highs of aggression, devastation and celebrations. But, like always, destiny is threatening to pull him back with a foot Fault With Our StarsPant was born in Roorkee, a verdant town of greens and the Ganga's ebb and flow. His life has been marked with so many ups and downs, interventions by fate, that it now resembles a soap opera, which, like the third season of The White Lotus, can be called Amor losing his father at a young age, Pant pursued his cricket dreams fiercely. He endured hardships with his boyish smile and quick wit, sleeping in Gurudwaras, travelling long distances, and forging his destiny with an explosive entry into Test cricket. In 2022, just as his legend was peaking after two iconic knocks in Australia, Pant's car crashed into a divider. He feared his life was burned and with a knee twisted 180 degrees, Pant wrestled with fate in the shadows, summoning extraordinary physical and emotional return to cricket became an inspiration. By late 2023, after intensive physiotherapy, he began sharing videos of cautious steps and gym routines-testaments to grit reminiscent of Man Singh's defiance against destiny. In early 2024, Pant returned to domestic cricket, cheered as a symbol of resilience. Fans flocked to see whether the fearless match-winner still lived within his battered body. For his sheer perseverance, Pant deserved a gallantry comeback for India in limited-overs cricket made headlines: a rapid 45 against South Africa, a lightning-fast stumping-moments when it seemed he had finally outwitted destiny. Yet fresh setbacks soon returned. Pant became a third-choice keeper-batter in T20s, a reserve in one-dayers, and even lost the captaincy race to Shubman Gill, though he once seemed destined to lead India's Test Curse of the Dead SnakeSetbacks, like the dead snake in Sonchiriya, seem to haunt his path. Each turn is poised to disrupt his revival just as he is ready for new heights. For Pant, misfortune is less a mere accident than a persistent presence: a stalker to be confronted, never Lakhna, he senses the risks in every step. Yet, time and again, Pant's response mirrors Man Singh's: move forward-mai ka naam le ke aage badho-with his bold and aggressive stance on the field, charged with both peril and willingness to endure, to "love his fate," shines through every comeback and every daring moment on the field. In a year of both triumphs and challenges, Pant remains Indian cricket's most poignant story of how destiny may not always be conquered but can always be danced with. Here's to seeing Pant's unorthodox dance again. Down the pitch, one hand slipping off the bat's handle, the Duke's flying away to the destiny may clip his wings once in a while, but he remains cricket's Sonchiriya- the rare golden bird of Chambal.- EndsYou May Also Like
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Business Standard
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
ENG vs IND: Injury concerns deepen for India on opening day in Manchester
The final session of Day 1 of the 4th Test between England and India saw Rishabh Pant ushered off the field with an injury as India ended the final session with the score at 264/4 in Manchester. Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur continue to bat for India after Sai Sudharshan too was dismissed in the final session by Stokes after a gritty fifty. Sai Sudharshan's gritty fifty While many thought Sai Sudharshan visualising his shots on the Manchester pitch a day before the Test was going to go in vain, the batter proved his critics wrong. The practice saw him visualising pull shots other than the regular shots you see in Test cricket. And to back his efforts from the other day, each and every one of his shots were put to use as he continued to fight for his side with a gritty fifty against the English bowlers on the day. Losing out on his wicket to Stokes in the final session must have been disappointing for him as he would have liked to build on to his fifty. Pant ushered off the field due to injury With Rishabh Pant looking for boundaries every now and then with his first six coming in the 61st over, Sudharshan's patient knock made the partnership tick in what was a cloudy atmosphere that forced the floodlights to be turned on in Manchester. The duo put up a 50-run stand after tea as Pant also became the first visiting wicketkeeper to score 1000 runs in England. Pant kept at it, targeting Dawson for some more boundaries on the day while Sudharshan patiently kept creeping up towards his fifty. However, bad luck followed Pant from the Lord's Test as the Indian wicketkeeper-batter had to be helped off the field after sustaining a toe injury from a yorker delivered by Chris Woakes on Day 1 of the 4th Test against England in Manchester. Pant appeared to be in significant pain after the delivery. Following medical treatment, the team decided to use a stretcher to carry him off the field due to swelling and a minor cut on his right leg. While Jadeja replaced him on the day, Sai Sudharshan too followed Pant back as he lost his wicket to Stokes, caught at backward sq. leg by Carse. With two fresh batters at the crease, India had to start all over again to build a stable partnership and end the day without losing any more wickets. India-England share first two sessions on Day 1 Earlier, India's solid start in the 4th Test at Old Trafford began to unravel in the post-lunch session as England fought back with key wickets. After a wicketless first session where openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul built a solid 78-run stand, the Three Lions made inroads through Chris Woakes, who dismissed Rahul for 38 in the 30th over, caught in the slips. Rahul fell short of a half-century, leaving India one short of a 100-run opening partnership. Debutant Sai Sudharsan came in at No. 3, looking to make an impact. Jaiswal, meanwhile, found it tough going against Brydon Carse, who extracted movement off the pitch. Despite some discomfort, Jaiswal reached a gritty fifty off 96 balls, becoming the first Indian opener in 50 years to score a half-century in Manchester. However, he couldn't push on as left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, returning to Test cricket after eight years, dismissed him for 58, caught in the slips. Dawson's breakthrough tilted momentum England's way. Sudharsan narrowly avoided becoming the next casualty after edging a delivery down leg, only for Ollie Smith to drop the chance. However, skipper Shubman Gill didn't survive for long, falling LBW to Ben Stokes for just 12 runs in the 50th over. From a dominant start, India slipped to 149/3 at tea, with Rishabh Pant and Sudharsan at the crease. Earlier, under overcast skies, Jaiswal and Rahul showed composure against disciplined spells from Archer and Woakes, helping India to a steady start before England's resurgence. India 1st innings scorecard after Day 1 India 1st Innings after Day 1 264-4 (83 ov) CRR:3.18 Batter R B 4s 6s SR Yashasvi Jaiswal c H Brook b L Dawson 58 107 10 1 54.21 KL Rahul c Z Crawley b C Woakes 46 98 4 0 46.94 Sai Sudharsan c B Carse b B Stokes 61 151 7 0 40.4 Shubman Gill (C) lbw b B Stokes 12 23 1 0 52.17 Rishabh Pant (WK) Retired hurt 37 48 2 1 77.08 Ravindra Jadeja Not out 19 37 3 0 51.35 Shardul Thakur Not out 19 36 2 0 52.78 Extras 12 (b 0, Ib 6, w 4, nb 2, p 0) Total 264 (4 wkts, 83 Ov) Yet to Bat Washington Sundar,Anshul Kamboj,Jasprit Bumrah,Mohammed Siraj Fall of Wickets 94-1(KL Rahul 29.6),120-2(Yashasvi Jaiswal 40.1),140-3(Shubman Gill 49.1),235-4(Sai Sudharsan 73.5) Bowler O M R W NB WD ECO Chris Woakes 17 4 43 1 0 0 2.53 Jofra Archer 16 2 44 0 0 2 2.75 Brydon Carse 16 1 60 0 2 0 3.75 Ben Stokes 14 2 47 2 0 2 3.36 Liam Dawson 15 1 45 1 0 0 3 Joe Root 5 0 19 0 0 0 3.8
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
KL Rahul Creates History, Becomes 2nd Indian Opener After Sunil Gavaskar To...
Last Updated: KL Rahul needed 28 runs on Wednesday to complete 1000 Test runs in England as an opener, and he achieved the objective during the 15th over of India's first innings. KL Rahul is in red-hot form these days, and on Wednesday (July 23), during Day 1 of the fourth India-England Test in Manchester, he entered his name in the history books by becoming the second Indian opener to score 1000 Test runs in England. KL Rahul needed 28 runs on Wednesday to complete 1000 Test runs in England as an opener, and he achieved the objective during the 15th over of India's first innings. The ongoing red-ball match in Manchester is Rahul's 13th Test in England. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Akash Deep Unavailable For 4th IND-ENG Test But Rishabh Pant Will Keep Wickets
Last Updated: The big news was confirmed by India's Test captain, Shubman Gill, on Tuesday during the pre-match press conference. Fast bowler Akash Deep is not available for the fourth India-England Test, which is set to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23 to 27, but Rishabh Pant is fit to play as wicketkeeper-batter. The big development was confirmed by India captain Shubman Gill on Tuesday (July 22) during the pre-match press conference. 'Akash Deep is unavailable, and so is Arshdeep (Singh), but we have good players in the team to pick 20 wickets. It is not ideal to have different bowlers, but I was prepared," Gill said. Akash Deep, who is dealing with a groin injury was India's best bowler in the second Test, which was played at Edgbaston. In that match he dismissed 10 English batters across two innings. In Akash Deep's absence, Prasidh Krishna or Anshul Kamboj could come into India's playing XI. Krishna played in the first two Tests of the ongoing series but failed to impress with his performance, whereas Kamboj was officially added to India's Test squad for the fourth Test on Monday (July 21). 'We have seen his (Kamboj) skill set. We have the belief that he can win matches for us. Kamboj is close to making his debut tomorrow (Wednesday). You are going to see whether it is him or Prasidh Krishna," he added. Pant, who had suffered a finger injury on Day 1 of Lord's Test, underwent a training session in Manchester that lasted over two hours on Monday. 'Rishabh Pant will keep wickets in the fourth Test against England in Manchester," Gill said. Pant played as the wicketkeeper only for 35 overs in the third Test due to the injury with Dhruv Jurel doing the duty for the rest of the match. In fact, Jurel had an underwhelming time behind the stumps during England's second innings, conceding 25 byes and the home side won the third Test by 22 runs. The India captain has also backed Karun Nair even as he struggled to register big scores in the series. 'We think he is batting well. First match he didn't play at his number. No issues with his batting. Once you are able to get to 50 and get in the zone. We are hopeful that he can turn it around: Gill said on Nair, who so far produced scores of 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14 in the first three Tests. view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 17:42 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- First Post
Manchester weather forecast: Rain could spoil Shubman Gill-led India's party at Old Trafford
Will rain impact the fourth India-England Test in Manchester? That looks almost certain, with the current weather forecast predicting heavy rainfall on a couple of days during the match. read more There are high chances of rain spoiling a few many overs during India vs England 4th Test at Manchester. Image: AP The fourth Test between India and England at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground from 23 July faces a massive rain threat as there are high chances of the play on the first two days being impacted by showers. This is not good news for Shubman Gill-led India as they are currently 2-1 behind in the five-match Test series. The overcast conditions could help the seamers and Manchester ground has often been found to be useful for fast bowlers, despite slowing down a bit in the near past. This could influence India into picking Shardul Thakur as injured Nitish Kumar Reddy's replacement in the playing XI, while Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj is also expected to make his debut in place of Akash Deep, who struggled with a back issue during the third Test at Lord's. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rain, however, could spoil India's party and the fresh combinations as 'An afternoon shower or two' is predicted on Day 1 (23 July, Wednesday) and 'A couple of showers' are predicted for Day 2 (24 July, Thursday), according to AccuWeather. In fact, it has been raining on the eve of the match in Manchester on Tuesday. Manchester Weather Forecast There's a high possibility of rain on the opening day when the probability of precipitation stands at 65% and the temperatures will be between 19 to 14 degrees Celsius. This also means Manchester will be much cooler than London, where the temperature constantly touched 30 degrees Celsius during the Lord's Test. Also, as per the prediction, we can expect rain delays during the match that will start at 11 AM local time. The probability of precipitation rises to 85% on the scheduled Day 2 (24 July, Thursday) and the temperatures will be between 21 to 12 degrees Celsius. Day 3 (25 July, Friday) and Day 4 (26 July, Saturday) promise to be much brighter with chances of rain pegged at only 7 and 10% respectively. The probability of precipitation on Day 5 (27 July, Sunday) is 40%, which means we may see a few rain interruptions but nothing serious enough to witness a washout. If a large number of overs are lost in the Test match due to rain, then a draw would be the most likely outcome and that's something Gill and India would not want to have.
