India's Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant batted with a fractured toe to score a gritty half-century against England on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.

Pant, who was being forced to retire hurt on 37 after suffering an injury to his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off England pacer Chris Woakes on the opening day, came out to bat to a standing ovation after his Lucknow Super Giants’ teammate Shardul Thakur departed after a fighting 41.

The LSG captain showed tremendous character, resolve and willpower after limping his way to the crease.

Despite looking in obvious discomfort, Pant took a few singles to enter 40s, before the southpaw clobbered Jofra Archer for a maximum, and followed it up with a boundary off England captain Ben Stokes to notch up his 18th fifty in Test cricket.

His valiant knock later came to an end after he was dismissed by Archer for 54, laced with three fours and two sixes.

With another brilliant Test half-century, Pant has surpassed 1,000 runs in England. The 27-year-old has amassed 1,035 runs in 13 matches at an average of 43.12, including four centuries and five fifties.

Overall, Pant has scored 1,260 runs in 16 Tests against England at an average of 46.66, comprising five hundreds and seven half-centuries.

Meanwhile, Pant recorded his ninth fifty in away Tests in 33 matches (59 innings) at an average of 41.44. He has accumulated 2,321 runs away from home, including six centuries.

Pant has been in sensational form in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. The LSG captain has recorded scores of 134,118, 25, 65, 74, 9, and 54.

India’s flamboyant wicketkeeper has already racked up 479 runs in the newly-rechristened Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at an average of 68.43.

With two maximums during his fighting knock, Pant now has the joint-most sixes for India in Tests. After hitting his second six of the game, Pant equalled Sehwag’s record of 90 sixes in Test cricket.

Along with Pant’s 54, fifties from Sai Sudharsan (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) powered India to 358 in their first innings at Old Trafford.

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant was ruled out of wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the fourth Test. Dhruv Jurel will take over the wicket-keeping responsibilities.

“Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper,” the BCCI said in a statement.