India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has provided a positive update on Rishabh Pant’s fitness after the wicketkeeper-batter was forced to leave the field on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Manchester due to a toe injury caused by a searing yorker from Chris Woakes.
Pant, who had earlier battled through a fractured toe to score a gritty half-century on Day 2, raised concerns after he appeared in visible pain and could not continue during India’s second innings. However, Kotak said there’s hope he will return to bat on Day 5.
“Rishabh, I think he will bat tomorrow,” Kotak told reporters during the post-day press conference.
Pant’s availability could prove crucial as India fights to save the Test, having started their second innings on a disastrous note but recovering strongly thanks to a resolute 174-run partnership between skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
Praising the duo’s grit, Kotak said, “I think a lot of belief and determination, KL and Gill have shown. Obviously, it is tough when you lose two early wickets. But I felt even at lunchtime, they believed they could build something. The way they batted was absolutely brilliant.”
India ended Day 4 at 174/2, still trailing England’s massive 669-run first innings by 137 runs. England’s bowlers went wicketless in the final session as Gill (78*) and Rahul (87*) kept the hopes alive for a dramatic Indian comeback.
Gill reached his eighth Test half-century — his fourth against England — with a composed knock laced with eight boundaries. Rahul provided firm support from the other end, pacing his innings perfectly while anchoring India’s recovery.
With one full day remaining and Rishabh Pant potentially returning to the crease, India will be aiming to either chase down the deficit or bat out the day to secure a hard-fought draw.
Brief Scores:
India 358 & 174/2 (KL Rahul 87*, Shubman Gill 78*; Chris Woakes 2/48)
vs
England 669 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141; Ravindra Jadeja 4/143)
