In the third India-England Test at Lord’s from July 10-14, Rishabh Pant hurt his finger on Day 1. He couldn’t keep wickets after England’s first 34 overs. Dhruv Jurel came in as a substitute and kept wicket for both innings. Even with the injury, Pant batted in both innings for India, scoring 74 and 9.
The injury at Lord’s raised doubts if Pant would play in the fourth India-England Test in Manchester from July 23-24. Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, said Pant will play in Manchester. Not sure if he will keep wicket.
After India’s first practice in Manchester on Thursday, Doeschate told reporters that Pant will bat before the game. The team is keeping an eye on his finger injury.
He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don’t think you can keep Rishabh out of the Test no matter what. He batted with a lot of pain in the third Test and it’s only going to get better for his finger, said ten Doeschate.
“Keeping is the last part of the process. We need to make sure he can keep—we don’t want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper in the middle of an innings, he added.
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Pant is a big part of India’s Test team. The team is giving him as much time as they can to get fully fit.
“But he rested today, was trying to give the finger as long as possible and hopefully he’s good to go in Manchester in the first session. He is in the mix, but if he’s fit, he will play the next Test and do both, ten Doeschate said.
If Pant can’t play as both wicketkeeper and batter, Jurel will play in the fourth Test. One of Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy or Karun Nair will have to sit out.
