Rishabh Pant’s Moon Boots
Rishabh Pant has turned heads not just for his resilience, but also for the unique medical shoe he’s now wearing: a moon boot.
After suffering a painful foot injury during the recent Manchester Test against England, Rishabh Pant has turned heads not just for his resilience, but also for the unique medical shoe he’s now wearing: a moon boot.
On July 23, during Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, Pant was batting fluently on 37 off 48 balls when disaster struck. In an attempt to play a reverse sweep against pacer Chris Woakes, the ball slammed into his right foot. The impact caused immediate swelling and bleeding. Medical staff rushed in, and Pant was taken off the field via a medical cart, visibly in pain.
In the days that followed, images of Pant wearing a bulky, futuristic-looking boot went viral. That was not a regular cricket shoe—it was a moonboot, a medical device often used to aid recovery from foot or ankle fractures.
A moon boot, also known as a walking boot or orthopaedic boot, is commonly prescribed to patients recovering from fractures, ligament tears, or severe bruises in the foot and ankle area. The boot gets its name from its resemblance to the heavy-duty boots worn by astronauts. Made with a hard plastic shell, thick padding, and Velcro straps, moon boots are sturdy yet surprisingly lightweight. Pant, diagnosed with a metatarsal fracture, has been advised by the BCCI medical team to wear one for a minimum of six weeks.
Moon boots-Cricket shoes
Cricket shoes are lightweight, flexible, and feature spikes to provide traction on the pitch. They are designed for quick movements—running, wicket-keeping, or bowling. Moon boots, on the other hand, are rigid and heavy. They are not made for performance but for protection and healing. There are no spikes, and they restrict movement intentionally.
According to a BCCI update on July 24, Pant has been advised six weeks of rest and physiotherapy. He will wear the moon boot throughout this period. If his recovery progresses well, light training could begin by September, with a potential full return to competitive cricket by October, when India is scheduled to host New Zealand for a Test series.
For Pant, the moon boot is more than a recovery tool—it’s a stepping stone towards yet another comeback.
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