The fourth match of the five -match Test series between India and England is to be played at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester. Wicketkeeper batsman and vice-captain Rishabh Pant of Team India Rishabh Pant is dubious in this match starting on 23 July (Wednesday). If Pant does not play in the Manchest Test, then the difficulties of the Indian team will increase because this wicketkeeper batsman has been in great form in the current series.
Rishabh Pant was engaged during the third Test of the series played at Lord’s. In the first innings of England, Rishabh Pant’s left -handed index finger was hurt in an attempt to convey the ball of fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah. After this, Dhruv Jurael, in place of Rishabh Pant, played the responsibility of wicketkeeping. Although Pant batted in both innings for India, he appeared in pain. In such a situation, he is finding it difficult to play in Manchester Test.
Now Ravi Shastri, former coach of Team India, has given a big statement about Rishabh Pant. Shastri suggested to the Indian team and said that Rishabh Pant should now be kept out of playing-11 for the fourth Test match. According to Shastri, Pant should be fielded on the ground only after being fully fit. Shastri also said that feeding Pant in the fourth Test only as a specialist batsman can be dangerous.
What did Shastri say about Pant?
Talking to Sanjana Ganashan in the ICC review, Ravi Shastri said, ‘If that finger is broken or fracture, then it would be right to give rest to Rishabh Pant. Now England know that he is injured, in such a situation, India will not get a subsidy. If Rishabh Pant comes in the team, he will have to do both batting and wicketkeeping. It will not be enough to do one thing with half-incomplete fitness.
Ravi Shastri further says, ‘I don’t think if Rishabh Pant cannot do wicketkeeping, then he should enter the field as expert batsman. If they do not do wicketkeeping, then fielding will have to be done. If the same part is hurt again without gloves, then the condition will worse. There is some protection in wicketkeeping, but not as a fielder. In this case, the injury can be even more serious.
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