Credit: BCCI/X
In one of the most bravest acts in cricket in recent memory, Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant, who suffered a fractured right foot on day one of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, returned to bat against England against all odds. When the 27-year-old gingerly walked out to the field to take the crease after Shardul Thakur’s dismissal, the fans all over the stadium gave him a rousing reception, making it one of the biggest moments in the five-match series.
During the morning session on day two of the fourth Test, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took to their official X account to reveal that Rishabh Pant joined the team at the stadium on day two, and he will take the field with the bat in hand. Apart from that, they also confirmed that Dhruv Jurel, who kept wickets for India in the absence of Rishabh Pant in the third Test due to an injury, will perform the same duty in the fourth Test as well.
Watch the video here:
And just as the BCCI stated, when Shardul Thakur lost his wicket on the bowling of Ben Stokes for 41 off 88 with five fours after Ben Duckett took a sharp catch at gully, Rishabh Pant indeed made his way to the crease to bat for India. He resumed his innings from yesterday’s score of 37 in 48 balls with two fours and one six to his name, joining Washington Sundar at the crease with the team aiming to go past 350 runs.
Moreover, the reports in the media have stated that Ishan Kishan is likely to replace Rishabh Pant in the Indian squad for the fifth and final Test of the series against England.
Below are the playing XIs of England and India for the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester:
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
