As India prepares for the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, bowler Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shared a humorous moment during a training session at Kent County Cricket Ground. Bumrah was spotted mocking Pant using a renowned Bollywood line.
India trails the five-match series 2-1 after losing the third Test by 22 runs at Lord’s. Pant, on the other hand, was engaging with journalists from the dressing room balcony during India’s only practice session in Beckenham before leaving for Manchester. When asked, Pant answered, “Kuch sunai nahi de raha hai” and blamed his inability to hear on the loud music.
Meanwhile, Bumrah stood nearby and parodied a line from the Bollywood film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, saying, “Aaj Duggal ji behre hain!” (Duggal ji is deaf now). Notably, the entire group of media personnel there chuckled, including Pant himself.
Bumrah has been India’s dominant bowler throughout the series, taking 12 wickets at an average of 21.00. He missed the second Test in Birmingham as part of a pre-determined rotation strategy to manage his workload after back surgery in 2023. After missing the second Test, he returned to Lord’s and picked up seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, Pant has been an essential batsman. His 74 at Lord’s kept India in contention, despite the fact that he did not wear gloves behind the wickets due to a finger ailment. With India mulling Pant playing just as a hitter, Dhruv Jurel is in contention for the wicketkeeper position if necessary.
Don’t think going to keep Rishabh Pant out of Test, no matter what: Ryan ten Doeschate
India are set to travel to Manchester on July 19 and will resume training soon after. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant Ryan ten Doeschate have indicated that Bumrah is likely to play, given the match’s importance, while Pant is also expected to be fit, if not behind the stumps, then certainly with the bat.
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