Aakash Chopra opposes Ravi Shastri, demands ‘half-fit’ Rishabh Pant’s selection for Manchester Test

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra has opposed the ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri's stance on Rishabh Pant's selection for the Manchester Test.

Aakash Chopra said that the Indian team management should look to add Rishabh Pant to the playing XI even as a specialist batsman for the fourth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

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Dhruv Jurel in line to take gloves in the Manchester Test

Rishabh Pant suffered an injury during the third Test match against the England National Cricket Team at Lord's in London. He got hurt during the 34th over of the first innings when Jasprit Bumrah bowled a full-length delivery to Ollie Pope angling down the leg side.

Pope looked to flick it away but missed completely his shot, and the ball went on to hit Rishabh Pant on the index finger of his left hand, leaving him injured behind the stumps.

Pant was in immense pain after suffering the blow and was replaced by Dhruv Jurel as the substitute wicketkeeper for the remainder of the match.

Meanwhile, several media outlets have reported that the Gautam Gambhir-led team management is considering playing Rishabh Pant as a specialist batter in the Manchester Test and including Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI to keep wickets.

Ravi Shastri believes he shouldn't play if he cannot keep - Aakash Chopra

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra disagreed with Ravi Shastri, who suggested India not play Rishabh Pant if he was not fit enough to keep wickets.

Aakash Chopra feels that Rishabh Pant is a game-changer and the Indian team would not be able to do well without his batting; hence, he should play even if he is half-fit.

"Can Rishabh Pant play as a batter? The voice for this argument will become louder now. He has an injury in his hand, and Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in the last match. If Rishabh is still not fully fit, he should either play as a batter or not play at all. Ravi Shastri believes he shouldn't play if he cannot keep," Aakash Chopra said.

"I am of the opinion that the Indian team won't be able to manage without his batting. I am absolutely honest about it because even though this guy had an injury in his hand, the result of the match might have been different had he not got run out. He played a 74-run knock even in that innings. He got out early in the second innings for sure, but Rishabh Pant is a match-winner. He is a game-changer and an entertainer," he added.

Rishabh Pant does now what Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist used to do - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further said that Rishabh Pant is a special player and plays Test cricket in a unique way, like Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist used to do.

"Rishabh Pant does now what Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist used to do. There are very few players who can break the mold of Test cricket. When someone does that, the opposing team remains stunned," he said.

"When a batter comes to bat, even if it's Viru or Pant, you believe you should set a field that's right for Test cricket, as the 150-year history is weighing down on you, and you think he won't be able to hit this time, although he might have hit last time," Chopra added.

Despite injuring his finger, Pant batted in both innings of the Lord's Test, scoring 74 off 112 balls and 9 off 12 balls.