With the series on the line and India 2-1 down in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, every decision counts.
But the biggest call ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford is around Rishabh Pant who injured the tip of his left index finger while keeping on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test.
Though Pant showed guts and scored a 74 and a quick 9, he was clearly not 100%. Dhruv Jurel replaced him behind the stumps for the rest of the match but the team management is reportedly thinking of playing Pant as a specialist batsman in the next Test.
Ravi Shastri isn’t having any of it.
“I don’t think he (Pant) should go in as a specialist batsman if he can’t keep because he will have to field. If he fields, that will be worse. You’ve got to see if it is a break. If it is a break or a fracture, then he rather rests it and comes fully fit at The Oval. He won’t get a substitute now. Now they’ll know that he has been injured,”
— Ravi Shastri (via ICC)
Shastri’s point is simple but serious. If Pant can’t keep, he’ll still have to field and that will make the injury worse.
Especially with no chance of a substitute fielder now that the injury is out in the open.
Playing an injured Pant will hurt India more than help. Manchester is a must-win game. And fielding with a finger injury in cold, bouncy English conditions is a huge risk.
Shastri thinks it’s better to let him recover fully and come back at The Oval, possibly for the series decider.
Dhruv Jurel impressed many with his calm glovework at Lord’s and is the natural choice if Pant is ruled out.
That will also give India a chance to bring in a proper batsman in place of Pant someone 100%.
Pant’s injury might look small but in Test cricket even a small discomfort can cost big. Shastri’s message isn’t about fear it’s about being smart. If Pant isn’t fit to keep, don’t play him. It’s that simple.
