India head coach STOPS Rishabh Pant from playing Manchester Test
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England took a lead in the ongoing Test series against India with a win at Lord's. India might have failed to win the Lord's Test, but several players contributed significantly to the team's limited success.
One of the players who has enjoyed playing in England is India's dynamic wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant. Pant has shown some stunning form in England, and the Englishmen will be relieved if he doesn't play in the fourth Test in Manchester.
However, what raised concerns for India was Rishabh Pant's early injury in the game. Pant was hit by the ball, which injured his fingers early on Day 1, as a result of which he had to leave the field, and Dhruv Jurel was called in as his substitute.
Ravi Shastri drops an update on Rishabh Pant's injury
Rishabh Pant was seen batting in the Lord's Test as he took the field as a batter across both innings; however, he never showed any interest in keeping wickets in the game. Pant batted stunningly for his 74 before he was dismissed in the first innings, but despite that, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in the second innings as well.
Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri's video has gone viral on the internet, where he states his views on Pant's injury and his availability in Manchester.
Shastri denied approval of the proposal that Rishabh Pant might be played as a specialist batter on the side; this is because, under such a scenario, he would have to field for most of the game, thus increasing the potential of further stings, which might worsen his injury.
Though he cited that if it's not a break or a fracture, then the gap of 8-9 days is good enough for him to recover from his injury.
"I don't think he should go in as a specialist batter if he can't keep because he will have to field. If he fields, that will be worse. With the gloves, at least there is some protection. Without gloves, if he gets something that stings in there, then it won't be very good. It'll only worsen the injury," Shastri said on the ICC review podcast.
"You've got to see if it is a break. If it is a break or a fracture, then he rather rests it and comes fully fit at The Oval. He won't get a substitute now. Now they'll know that he has been injured. When you pick the team for the next Test, he'll have to keep and he'll have to bat,” Shastri said.
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Who can replace Rishabh Pant at Manchester?
If Rishabh Pant is seen to feature as a specialist batter, then KL Rahul will have to take over with the gloves in Manchester. As he was injured earlier and still takes the field in a fresh game, he won't be given a substitute any further.
Now, if Pant is ruled out of the upcoming game—there has been no update on his injury status as of yet—then Dhruv Jurel might be cited as the player who can replace him in the playing 11.
Already, there have been immense talks on Karun Nair being dropped, and someone between either Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran will replace him in the Playing 11 at Manchester.
Pant has had a record-breaking run in England
Pant has a record-breaking run in the ongoing series between India and England. He has scored 425 runs in the 6 innings played so far for India.
Rishabh Pant started with twin hundreds at Headingley in the first innings, both of which came in losing causes for India. The Birmingham Test did not go much in his favour, though he scored another half-century and then backed himself with another half-century in the third match as well.
He is currently averaging 70.83 and has the third-highest strike rate in the series of 78.41.
ALSO READ: Jasprit Bumrah clashes with Pant ahead of Manchester Test in eye-catching banter
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Rishabh Pant Ravi Shastri IND vs ENG
