With the crucial fourth Test between India and England set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, all eyes are on Rishabh Pant's fitness.
The star wicketkeeper-batter injured his finger during the third Test at Lord’s and while he managed to bat through the pain, doubts remain over his role behind the stumps.
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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has now weighed in with a strong opinion, making it clear that Pant should not play if he can’t keep wickets.
What did Ravi Shastri say about Rishabh Pant's injury?
Shastri made it clear that if Pant isn’t fit to keep wickets, he shouldn't be selected in the playing XI even as a specialist batter.
The former India head coach warned that playing Pant solely as a batter could aggravate the injury, as fielding without wicketkeeping gloves offers less protection.
He explained that fielding with a bandaged or hurt finger is risky as a direct hit could cause more damage than wearing gloves behind the stumps
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"I don't think he should go in as specialist batter if he cant keep because he will have to field and if he fields, that will be worse as with the gloves, there is some protection but without glove if he get something that stings him there, then it won't be very good and it will worsen the injury," said Shastri.
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Shastri also raised a concern that if Pant starts the Test without keeping, a substitute keeper may not be allowed later, making things tricky for India.
"He won’t get a substitute now as they will know that he has been injured. When you pick the team for the next Test, he will have to keep and will have to bat. He can’t do one of the two. So it’s better if he is fully fit. If it’s not a crack, I think he will play," said Shastri.
He added that unless Pant is 100% fit to both bat and keep, it's wiser to rest him now and bring him back fully recovered for the final Test at The Oval.
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"Also, you have got to see if it’s a break. If it’s a break or fracture, he should rather rest it and come fully fit at The Oval," he added.
Rishabh Pant's latest injury update
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had earlier confirmed that Pant will be tested in the nets before the Manchester game, especially for his batting. The coach seemed hopeful, saying Pant batted through pain at Lord’s and the finger may feel better by the next match.
However, the major concern remains his ability to keep wickets. Ten Doeschate said clearly that the team wants to avoid a repeat of the Lord’s Test, where Dhruv Jurel had to step in as the keeper mid-innings.