ENG vs IND 2025: Ravi Shastri opines on Rishabh Pant’s injury and availability for 4th Test

Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his thoughts on whether wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant should play in the forthcoming fourth Test against England, which will be hosted at Old Trafford in Manchester. Shastri emphasised that Pant should not be included if he cannot play as both a wicketkeeper and a hitter.

Pant injured his finger during the third Test at Lord’s, thus Dhruv Jurel took over as the stand-in wicketkeeper. Despite the injury, Pant batted in both innings but struggled to impress. Shastri stated that if Pant is unable to satisfy his wicketkeeping duties, he will be forced to field, which could jeopardise his injury.

“I don’t think he should start as a specialist hitter if he can’t keep since he’ll have to field. If he fields, things will get worse. At the very least, the gloves offer some protection. Without gloves, if he gets something that stings in there, it will be bad. “It will only worsen the injury,” Shastri stated in an Instagram video posted by the ICC.

 

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Rishabh Pant won’t be allowed to substitute his wicketkeeping to Dhruv Jurel

The cricketer-turned-commentator also stressed the importance of thoroughly assessing Pant’s injury. He suggested that if there is a fracture or break, it would be wiser for Pant to rest and recover fully, aiming to return fit for the next match at The Oval, rather than risking further damage by playing prematurely.

“You’ve got to see if it is a break. If it is a break or a fracture, then he rather rests it and comes fully fit at The Oval. He won’t get a substitute now. Now they’ll know that he has been injured. When you pick the team for the next Test, he’ll have to keep, and he’ll have to bat,” the Mumbai-born said.