India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant will be available to bat on Day 5 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. Pant suffered a toe fracture on Day 1 of the game and had to be immediately taken off the field.
Pant braved through the pain on Day 2 and returned to bat to complete his half-century. He scored a brilliant 54 (75), smashing three fours and two sixes. With India once again needing Pant’s services on Day 5, the star batter will be once again available to bat, Sitanshu Kotak confirmed.
“I think he will bat tomorrow,” said Kotak in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.
Furthermore, the Indian batting coach said that the players will have to play every ball on the merit on the final day and avoid unnecessary risks.
“Don’t be pre-planned. Play to the merit of the ball. Avoid unnecessary riks. If you are set and then you cut down on undue risks, the only way you can get out is if the ball behaves badly after pitching or if you get a brilliant delivery. These boys have the quality. They have the ability to do what they did today on Day 5. All these are all format players. Everybody is playing the IPL and international cricket. Your mindset is important. Your need to train your mind to play the situation. It takes mental effort more than skill,” he added.
India finished Day 4 on 174/2 with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill at the crease. The duo got involved in an unbeaten 174-run stand for the third wicket after the team lost Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over of the innings itself.
India are still trailing by 137 runs in the second innings and will have to bat out of their skins to save the Test match on Day 5. Hence, Pant’s services will be required for the team as they aim to bat out the entire day to deny England a victory and keep the series alive.
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