India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has provided a positive update on Rishabh Pant’s recovery, revealing that the wicketkeeper-batter is close to regaining full fitness ahead of the fourth Test against England, set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Pant sustained a finger injury while diving to collect the ball on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s. He was forced to leave the field for treatment and did not resume wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel stepped in as the stand-in keeper, impressing with the bat in the first innings but conceding several extra runs behind the stumps—contributions that proved costly in India’s narrow defeat at Lord’s.
Currently training in Beckenham, the Indian team is gearing up for the must-win fixture. Speaking during the team’s practice session, ten Doeschate confirmed that Pant will take part in batting practice before the Test but noted that a final decision on his keeping role will be made closer to match day.
“He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don’t think you’re gonna keep Rishabh out of the Test no matter what. He batted with quite a lot of pain in the 3rd Test, and it’s only going to get easier on his finger,” ten Doeschate said. “Keeping is the last part of the process. We need 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 an innings.”
Pant rested in Beckenham practice session
India are giving Pant ample recovery time, with the vice-captain resting during Thursday’s training session to maximise healing.
“But he rested today, was trying to give the finger as long as possible, and hopefully, he’s good to go in Manchester in the first session. He is in the equation, but I mean if he’s fit, he plays the next Test and does both,” ten Doeschate added.
The upcoming Test will be decisive, with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line. England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, making the Old Trafford clash a must-win for India.
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