Will Rishabh Pant Recover in Time for the Manchester Test?

Beckenham, July 17 (NationPress) As India prepares for a crucial fourth Test against England in Manchester, the team is anxiously monitoring the condition of vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his left index finger while keeping during the Test at Lord's.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stated that the squad is allowing Pant ample time to recuperate and regain fitness ahead of the Manchester Test scheduled for July 23. Pant, who scored 74 and 9 at Lord's, visibly struggled after being struck on his left index finger, resulting in him not keeping wickets for the remainder of the match.

Following India's narrow 22-run loss, which left them trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, captain Shubman Gill expressed confidence that Pant would be ready to participate in Manchester. “He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don't believe anything will keep Rishabh out of the game, regardless of the circumstances. He played through significant pain in the third Test, and it’s expected to improve,” he said.

“Wicketkeeping is the final aspect we need to assess to ensure he’s ready. We want to avoid the situation where we have to substitute the keeper mid-innings. However, he rested today. We're committed to giving his finger as much time as necessary, and we hope he’ll be fit for the first training session in Manchester,” ten Doeschate remarked during a press conference held alongside India’s practice session in Beckenham.

In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel took over keeping duties at Lord's. Ten Doeschate mentioned that Jurel remains an option for Manchester should Pant not be fully recovered. “He is part of our considerations. But should Rishabh be fit, he will play the next Test and fulfill both roles,” he added.

With India down 1-2 in the series, ten Doeschate emphasized the need to address the recurring issue of losing multiple wickets in quick succession, which has been detrimental in both Headingley and Lord's defeats. “The focus is not to drastically change our approach. This might seem counterintuitive when trailing 2-1 in the series. However, we believe the players have performed admirably in many parts of the series.”

“The trend of losing several wickets in a short time has been a critical factor in our two losses, especially at Headingley and during the early morning at Lord's. This pattern cost us the game, losing six wickets for just 40 runs,” he stated.

“If we analyze the individual performances, all batters have been scoring well. Even players like Karun are showing good rhythm and tempo, though we seek more runs from them. Our primary message is to focus on our strengths and refine the minor issues that have impacted our results,” he elaborated.

Another concerning trend is India losing at least one wicket within 30 minutes before lunch, a point ten Doeschate acknowledged has been discussed in the dressing room. “We’ve addressed this. We need to determine whether it’s mere coincidence or a pattern indicating something we’re doing incorrectly. Are we losing focus? Are we getting overly eager to get in? Are we complacent in favorable situations? It's challenging to pinpoint,” he explained.

“It’s been brought up. There have been instances where it seems impossible for it to happen again. I was throwing balls at the back during Lord’s when Rishabh got run out, and the disbelief was palpable. Yet, this does not guarantee they will post another 70, 80, or 100 runs. Every delivery matters. The ongoing message to the players has been to strive to win every individual event, or every ball, and not to look too far ahead or behind,” he noted.

India will play a Test match in Manchester for the first time in 11 years, which introduces an element of novelty for many team members. “I’m not sure if Manchester is the same as it was 10-15 years ago. However, we don’t seek excuses based on conditions. We’re playing on the same pitches as the opposing team, and we’ve emphasized within the group to avoid any excuses. The players have excelled in this regard,” he said.

“Our challenge is to maximize player performance by considering the anticipated conditions, identifying suitable combinations, and simply asking the players to give their best, which I believe they have done throughout large portions of the series,” ten Doeschate concluded.

He also discussed how the support staff is supporting players who have been sidelined for extended periods. “A five-Test tour is lengthy. We’re carrying 18 players, which is somewhat larger. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide adequate attention and care to those not playing, ensuring they receive quality practice between Tests.”

“We discuss why we’re selecting certain combinations and hope they remain mentally prepared and physically ready for Test cricket when their opportunity arises. Unfortunately, with 18 quality players, some will join the tour without playing a Test. However, managing this dynamic and maintaining a positive team environment is vital for keeping everyone prepared while fostering a good atmosphere in the dressing room.”