India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Rishabh Pant, who fractured his foot on the opening day of the fourth Test, will be available for batting in the second innings.
“I think he will bat,” Kotak said.
Pant was hit on the foot while trying to reverse sweep a Chris Woakes’ yorker in the first innings. The ball took an inside edge and ricocheted onto his front boot. Visibly in pain, Pant hobbled and called on the physio and had to be eventually taken off the pitch in a golf cart as his right foot, already swollen up, was bleeding profusely. The scans revealed a fracture, and he was advised to take six weeks’ rest.
However, Pant walked out to bat again despite the fracture and went on to score a half-century. Sources indicate that the wicketkeeper-batter has decided to wait until the ongoing Test match gets over before getting his fractured toe plastered, with his foot currently being put on ice. With India fighting to save the Test, the stumper-batter’s presence could be a huge boost.
Kotak also heaped praise on Shubman Gill and K.L. Rahul for the unbroken partnership, which helped India fight back after reeling at 0 for 2. “Both Rahul and Shubman have shown belief and determination. They have been absolutely brilliant with the way they batted,” Kotak said, adding: “Rahul has been outstanding throughout the series…”
