With the crucial fourth Test of Anderson-Tendulkar trophy against England just days away, all eyes are on Rishabh Pant’s injured left index finger. India, trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, are hopeful their vice-captain will be fit for the do-or-die encounter at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23.
Pant sustained the injury during the third Test at Lord’s while keeping wickets and was visibly in pain throughout the match. Though he scored a valiant 74 in the first innings, he did not don the gloves for the remainder of the game, leaving backup wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel to step in.
What ten Doeschate Said On Pant Availability?
Addressing the media during India’s training session on Thursday in Beckenham, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate offered insight into Pant’s status:
“He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don't think one is going to keep Rishabh out of the Test, no matter what. He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third Test and it's only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”
While Pant didn’t train on Thursday, he did travel with the squad and is expected to test his fitness in the lead-up to the Manchester Test. The team is being cautious, particularly about his readiness to keep wickets.
“Keeping is obviously the last part of the process to make sure that he can keep. We don't want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper halfway through in the innings,” ten Doeschate explained.“He rested today. We're just trying to give his finger as long as possible and hopefully he's good to go in Manchester in the first training session.”
What If Pant Plays As Batter?
Pant’s injury and India’s desperate need to level the series may lead to a bold decision: playing him as a specialist batter only. This opens the door for Dhruv Jurel to continue as the designated wicketkeeper. The young keeper impressed behind the stumps at Lord’s and remains firmly in contention.
“He [Jurel] is in the equation. But I mean, obviously, if Rishabh is fit, he plays the next Test and does both,” said ten Doeschate, making it clear that Pant remains first-choice if fully fit.
Pant’s 112-ball 74 at Lord’s showcased his grit, even in discomfort. The innings was laced with eight fours and two towering sixes, one of which helped him surpass Sir Vivian Richards’ record for most sixes against England in Tests.
Ravi Shastri: Pant shouln't play as batter
While there’s speculation that Pant could be included as a specialist batter if he’s not fully fit to keep, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has a different perspective.
“I don’t think he should play as a specialist batter, because he would have to field — and that could be more difficult than keeping. As a keeper, you have the gloves for protection. But while fielding, you rely directly on your hands, and if there’s even a slight misjudgment or mishap, the injury could worsen. That would be a big concern for the Indian team heading into the fifth Test at The Oval," Ravi Shastri said on ICC Review.
"That said, if it’s just a minor break and not a fracture, then he should be fine. There are nine days between the Tests, and that’s ample time for recovery.”
Yet, as ten Doeschate pointed out, fitness — not flair — will dictate selection: “We can’t afford another situation where the keeper needs to be replaced mid-innings,” he stressed, underlining the importance of Pant’s complete recovery before taking on the gloves.
If Pant plays only as a batter, Jurel is the likeliest candidate to take the gloves in Manchester. The decision could come down to the final training session and whether Pant proves he can handle the demands of wicketkeeping.
Meanwhile, India’s broader focus remains on ironing out collapses that cost them dearly at Headingley and Lord’s.
“I think the focus is to not try to change too much. That might be counterintuitive when you're 2-1 down in the series. But we feel like the guys have been excellent for large, large parts of the series,” ten Doeschate said.
What History Suggests?
While it is unusual for two specialist wicketkeepers to feature in the same playing XI, Pakistan did so during a few Test matches in March 1998.
In these instances, Rashid Latif took on the dual role of captain and wicketkeeper, while Moin Khan was included in the side as a specialist batsman and fielder. This setup was seen during a Test match against South Africa and two subsequent Tests against Zimbabwe.
According to ESPNcricinfo records, although both players were accomplished wicketkeepers, only Latif donned the gloves in these matches, while Moin contributed solely with the bat and in the field. This strategic selection allowed Pakistan to field both experienced cricketers while maintaining a balanced team composition.
As India prepare for a must-win Test, Rishabh Pant’s finger may very well determine whether the team can level the series or slip further behind. All eyes now turn to Old Trafford — and the physio room.
