Manchester: Injured wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will bat on day five of the fourth Test, said India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak here on Saturday.
On day two, Pant came out to bat despite a fractured right foot and went on to score a half-century. Since the injury on day one, it was made clear that Pant will not be in a position to keep but will bat if the team requires.
“Rishabh will bat tomorrow,” said Kotak after stumps on day four.
Pant’s heroics, along with important lower-order contributions from Shardul Thakur (41) had ensured India posted 358 in the first innings after England captain Ben Stokes opted to field.
India, however, find themselves with their backs against the wall heading into yet another final day in the ongoing five-Test series, and Kotak believes Pant will do his bit to help the visitors salvage a draw and keep the series scoreline at 2-2.
“Rishabh will bat tomorrow,” Kotak told reporters after stumps on the penultimate day of the fourth Test.
The visitors had lost two wickets without opening their account after starting their second innings 311 behind, thanks to England’s mammoth total of 669 that is now the highest Test score at the venue.
And even though opener KL Rahul (87 not out) and captain Shubman Gill (78 not out) came to the rescue with an unbroken third-wicket partnership that took India to 174/2 at the close of play, the visitors will need all of their key batters to stand up and delivery on Day 5 to keep the series alive heading into the final Test at The Oval.
Which includes an injured Pant, who is set to bat one last time this series in Manchester, having already been ruled out of the final Test.
