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One of the most enduring and truly captivating sights in all of world cricket is where cricketers continue to persevere and perform despite not being at their best. To clarify this further, there are and have been moments where athletes despite being struck with painful blows or agonising injuries continue to perform and in many cases, actually return back to the field, on the 22 yards in order to strive for the best for their team. Having said that, it ought to be noted that despite being confronted with a painful blow that seldom escapes the glaring view of the camera, cricketers continue to sweat it out and grind it in the middle.
This becomes a fascinating sight in that whether such a thing happens during a Test match or during a colossal World Cup stage, the true effort of the cricketer becomes worthy of emulation. Don't you think so? Having said that in a sport, where injuries are but a part of one's life, what have been the four instances (among many others) where players returned to the field despite sustaining injury? Let us delve deeper.
Here are four instances where Cricketers returned to the field despite sustaining injury:
Rishabh Pant's Toe Injury vs England in Manchester (July 24, 2025)
Rishabh Pant is quite frankly an astounding talent and one whose canvass of sheer brilliance seems ever expansive. This has been evidenced from the time he made his debut for Team India a few summers ago. He plays Test cricket in T20 fashion and takes the meaning of the phrase explosion in the shortest format of the game several notches higher. There could be pauses on his side on account of injuries, but no long drawn battles that prevent him playing the game he was meant to play- and excel at.
On the opening day of the fourth Test, currently being played at Old Trafford, Rishabh Pant tried a weird-looking reverse sweep of Chris Woakes. Woakes is not a spinner- but a proper medium pacer. On account of the ill-timed attempt at hoisting Woakes for a big heave, Pant, missed it all completely and saw the red ball landing on his foot, rather the ankle, to be precise.
This hurt him so much and left him in a state of agony. The pain was evident on his face and Pant had to be taken away for further scans.
But on the second day of the ongoing Test match, upon the fall of more wickets, Rishabh Pant returned to the field. Even after 112 overs were bowled, Pant stayed put and went past his half century. His would be the third fifty from the Indian side.
He's been a brave lad and in fighting form this series against England having scored mightily well in the Tests before.
Definitely, among the four instances where players returned to the field despite sustaining injury includes the great Rishabh Pant.
Glenn Maxwell's Cramps vs Afghanistan in Mumbai (ODI WC 2023)
In the must-win game for Australia in the ODI World Cup during 2023, the Afghans were totally at it, having reduced the much powerful limited overs side to an underwhelming score with 7 wickets already uprooted in the middle. And suddenly one saw Australia 7 down. Not even 100 runs were on board when out came Glenn Maxwell in an attempt to revive a scoreboard that perhaps could never have even been revived.
And soon, he began thumping the Afghan medium pacers and spinners alike. At all this time, Glenn Maxwell suffered from painful cramps and he was simply unable to run, let alone play the delivery well- whether on front-foot or back-foot.
The sight of him having been in real agony was the centre point of all cameras. And yet, he endured and kept up the fight, scoring despite visible comfort, a magnanimous and ultimately, match-winning double century. A knock for the ages and thus, an effort that deserves to be counted among the four instances where players returned to the field despite sustaining injury.
Anil Kumble's Broken Jaw vs West Indies in Antigua (May 11, 2002)
In a Test match played in the year 2002 in Antigua in the West Indies, Kumble had suffered a broken jaw and this hurt his very participation in India's first bowling innings, the second innings of the game during the time where the West Indians were batting.
Helped by brilliant fifties from the bats of Jaffer and Dravid and later, fighting tons by Ratra and Laxman, India had put on a big 513. In reply, the West Indies looked to their best batter of all time - Brian Lara.
Despite having his entire jaw bandaged minus the visible part of the face, Kumble, who it mustn't be forgotten hopped as a tall spinner just before the popping crease, came out to bowl. He would take the wicket of Lara, who was plumb in front thanks to a magic leg spinning delivery. Even as he would bowl 14 overs, despite facing the real threat of any further participation in that Test, Kumble's heroics put his team in a good position. Not that the Windies bats were any slouch on that occasion; Hooper, Chanderpaul and Jacobs scored memorable tons. The match ended in a draw.
Graeme Smith's hand Injury vs Australia in Sydney (Jan 7, 2009)
A great cricketer, a proper Proteas legend!
Many summers ago, in 2008-09, to be precise, the then South Africa captain Graeme Smith starred in heroics that should definitely be accorded a high pedestal where it comes to four instances where players returned to the field despite sustaining injury.
In the Sydney Test match at the revered SCG, despite having suffered an injury to his hand, Graeme Smith, nicknamed "Biff" returned to the pitch in order to execute a rearguard action for his Proteas side who were staring the face of a defeat against the Australians.
While his coach said he should bat a 'hundred percent' his physio didn't and yet, there emerged Smith as a Number 11 in the end to fight it out. But what had happened?
A short-pitched delivery in the first innings from Mitch Johnson had hit Smith on his gloves, resulting in an injury and the left hander was in a very uncomfortable position. Just when it seemed that he would take no further part in the match, he came back to bat again in the fourth inning and stayed at the wicket for a crucial duration of time, even as he couldn't help evade a defeat for his side.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ):
What had happened to Anil Kumble with his injury?
In a 2002 Antigua Test against the West Indies, Kumble had sustained a scary looking jaw injury, despite of which he returned to bowl and got the great Brian Lara out, among others.
What was Glenn Maxwell's 2023 knock's impact back in the ODI World Cup?
Maxwell walked out to bat with Australia in grave danger, having lost 7 wickets with not even 100 on board. Despite of battling cramps and being unable to bat, he hit sixes and made big strokes the order of the day to win it for his team.
