Will Rishabh Pant bat on Day 5 of the Manchester Test? Indian batting coach reveals

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has disclosed that the Indian vice-captain and keeper–batter Rishabh Pant will come out to bat on the fifth and final day of the ongoing Manchester Test as India is facing a tough situation of avoiding an innings defeat.

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Notably, Pant got hit on his toe while playing a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes’ yorker-length delivery. However, he went on to fracture his toe after going out for scans. Despite that, he came out to bat in the first innings, scoring a valuable 54-run knock.

His 54-run knock included three fours and two sixes in 75 balls. However, he was replaced by Dhruv Jurel to keep wickets in the first innings. Though he is advised six weeks of rest by the medical team, Kotak has confirmed Pant’s availability to bat on Day 5.

“I think he will bat tomorrow,” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.

At stumps on Day 4, India were at 174/2 with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill stitching a 174-run partnership for the third wicket after losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and No.3 batter Sai Sudharsan for ducks. Interestingly, India is still trailing by 137 runs with eight wickets in hand in the second innings.

Kotak stated that the Indian batters need to play to the merit of the ball instead of going for unnecessary risks on the fifth and final day of the crucial Test, adding that the mindset will play a crucial role on the important day.

“Don't be pre-planned. Play to the merit of the ball. Avoid unnecessary risks. If you are set and then you cut down on undue risks, the only way you can get out is if the ball behaves badly after pitching or if you get a brilliant delivery,” Kotak stated. 

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“These boys have the quality. They have the ability to do what they did today on Day 5. All these are all format players. Everybody is playing the IPL and international cricket. Your mindset is important. You need to train your mind to play the situation. It takes mental effort more than skill,” he concluded.

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