India has already lost two of the three matches in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The fourth match of the series is their last chance to make a comeback. Unfortunately, India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustained a finger injury during the third Test at Lord’s. He was hurt while trying to stop a leg-side delivery from reaching the boundary in one of Bumrah’s overs. Pant did not keep wickets for the remainder of the match, and Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties in his place.
Will Rishabh Pant be fully fit for the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester? The match is scheduled to begin on 23rd July. Recently, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate provided an update on Pant’s injury during a press conference. He revealed that Pant is not practicing at the moment as his fingers have not yet healed. Ryan also mentioned that Pant’s batting is more important for Team India, and they are considering playing him even if he is only able to bat and not keep wickets.
If Pant plays purely as a batter, then Dhruv Jurel could find himself in the playing XI at Old Trafford. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter is yet to feature in a match on this tour. He has shown good ability whenever he has been given a chance in Tests for India. Jurel could end up replacing Karun Nair, who has failed to play any impactful innings in the ongoing series. Nair’s comeback after eight years might already be over.
Rishabh Pant will be assessed by Team India’s medical team on 22nd July, and a decision on his participation will be made that day. India needs Pant, as he is one of their best batters in the longest format of the game. Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir, who also suffered a finger injury in the third Test is ruled out of the series. England has included Liam Dawson in the squad as the replacement for Bashir.