When Rishabh Pant grimaced in pain and had to be carried off the field on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, few imagined he’d return to play any further part in the game. But for what’s at stake and India’s limited experience in the batting department, the maverick wicketkeeper-batter came out to stun everyone the very next day. India needed him, and he delivered with a much-needed fifty.
If this wasn’t enough, India’s vice-captain is set to put himself under risk once again. According to India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, Pant will indeed pad up once again in his quest to save the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Pant will bat again in the fourth innings, despite him being certain to be unavailable for the fifth and final Test in London.
Pant’s statement
Rishabh Pant’s troubles began when he attempted a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes on Day 1, only to be struck flush on the right foot. He collapsed in agony and had to be helped off, with initial scans confirming a fractured metatarsal. Reports came that the medical experts ruled him out for six weeks, at least.
But Pant had other plans. On Day 2, ignoring medical advice and the pain, he walked out to bat after the fall of Shardul Thakur. Limping, yet fearless, he took on the English bowlers and smashed a counter-attacking half-century, delighting the Old Trafford crowd. It was a statement indeed.
At stumps on Day 4, India were 174/2 in their second innings, still trailing England by 137 runs. Despite the early blows of losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul put on a defiant stand to steady the innings. Their partnership kept India in the game, but with a full day to go, the job is far from finished.
That’s where Pant’s return becomes crucial. Without him, India would be effectively one batter short, something India cannot afford against a quality English attack on a deteriorating Day 5 pitch. “Rishabh will bat tomorrow,” Kotak confirmed to reporters after Day 4 of the Manchester Test.
