Rishabh Pant’s Role in the 4th Test: Balancing Injury and Impact
As Team India gears up to face England in the 4th Test at Old Trafford (July 23–27, 2025), a fierce debate surrounds vice-captain Rishabh Pant. Should India play him purely as a batter, risking fitness, or allow him to keep the gloves—and the injury from Lord’s remains a key concern? Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and former coach Ravi Shastri have voiced contrasting views.
A Painful Moment at Lord’s: Pant’s Finger Injury
During the 3rd Test at Lord’s, Pant suffered a left index finger injury while keeping. He continued batting—scoring 74 and 9, visible discomfort marking both innings—but didn’t keep wickets afterward. Instead, Dhruv Jurel stepped in behind the stumps.
Pant’s grit was commendable, but the finger may still be troubling and could impact his performance for the rest of the series.
ten Doeschate’s Perspective: “Specialist Batter” or Full Role?
Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, suggested Pant might prioritize batting over keeping in Manchester, at least initially:
- “He will bat in Manchester before the Test… it’s only going to get easier”.
- Yet, he emphasized that keeping is “the last part of the process”, wanting to avoid mid-match switches like at Lord’s.
- Pant rested during training to give his finger time, with hopes he’ll be ready for both roles come match day.
The message: Pant will bat almost definitely, but whether he keeps depends on how well his finger holds up during practice sessions.
Shastri’s Tough Stance: Don’t Play If He Can’t Keep
In contrast, former India coach Ravi Shastri has taken a firmer position:
“I don’t think he should go in as a specialist batter if he can’t keep… If he fields, that will be worse… Without gloves… it’ll only worsen the injury.”
Shastri argues that unless Pant is fully fit to handle both tasks, it’s safer to leave him out. His concern: fielding without protection could aggravate the injury. If the finger is fractured, Shastri says recovering fully before The Oval Test would be wiser.
Captain Gill Weighs In: Pant “Should Be Fit”
Skipper Shubman Gill painted a more optimistic picture. After Lord’s, he said scans showed the injury isn’t serious and Pant “should be fit for the fourth Test”.
Given Pant’s status as the second-highest run-scorer in the series (425 runs) trailing Gill’s 607, excluding him could impact India’s batting depth.
The Stakes: Why Pant’s Role Matters Deeply
- Series on the line
India trails 1–2. Losing at Old Trafford would mean an insurmountable gap with one Test remaining ﹣ making this match absolutely critical. - Batting pivot
Pant’s aggressive style and current form are vital against England’s seam-heavy attack. His runs could tilt momentum India’s way. - Keeper gap risk
If Pant can’t keep, Jurel fills in—but unexpected mid-match transitions hurt flow and strategy. - Fitness vs impact balancing
Ten Doeschate and Gill seemed keen to play him; Shastri worries about fielding worsening the injury. India must weigh immediate gain against risk of aggravation and longer-term fallout.
Possible Scenarios and Impact
Scenario 1: Pant Plays Both Roles
- Pros: Full-strength batting and keeping in one player; stability; aggression upfront.
- Cons: Potential finger flare-up; risk of mid-match substitution damaging continuity.
Scenario 2: Pant Plays Only Batting
- Pros: Reduces strain on injured finger; retains batting impact.
- Cons: Requires substitute keeper or extra fielder; could affect fielding dynamics, including wicket-taking chances.
Scenario 3: Pant Sits Out Entirely
- Pros: Gives finger full recovery time; ensures full fitness at The Oval.
- Cons: Loss of batting firepower; inexperienced keeper in crucial match; possible morale dip ahead of must-win Test.
Expert Opinions & Analysis
- ten Doeschate’s measured approach: looks to ease Pant in, test him, then decide on keeping. His words—“keeping is the last part of the process”—signal flexibility.
- Shastri’s caution: prioritizes long-term player well-being over one-off heroics .
- Captain Gill’s optimism: painting Pant as fit underscores team management’s desire to utilize his talent.
Beyond Pant: Implications for Indian Strategy
- Team balance: A specialist batter role might require reshuffling fielders or bowlers at the cost of bowling or batting depth.
- Backup readiness: Dhruv Jurel is in the mix; having him in training as emergency cover is smart.
- Future Tests: Aggressive management could impact Pant’s appearance and role at The Oval.
What Will Determine Pant’s Final Role
| Factor | Impact for Manchester Role |
|---|---|
| Training sessions | Morning glove runs crucial for testing readiness |
| Medical scans | Any signs of fractures → cautious approach recommended |
| Practice keeping | If pain-free, dual role likely; otherwise specialist bat |
| Fielding drills | Further strain could reveal underlying issues |
By around July 21–22, after two full days of net sessions and scans, India’s team management will make a call. Expect Pant to bat at least; gloves are up in the air.
Balancing Risk with Reward
Rishabh Pant embodies India’s aggressive edge—but his ongoing finger issue demands caution. A specialist batting role could work if managed smartly: he gives firepower with the bat, while Jurel covers stitches behind. But any fielding duty risks aggravation, validating Shastri’s warning.
India’s best-case scenario: see Pant train without pain, let him bat and keep, and avoid mid-match disruption. If not, let him bat, spare the gloves, and rely on Jurel. Sitting him out entirely would be a last resort—and a huge blow to India’s hope of levelling the series.
For fans, the lead-up to Old Trafford will be compelling to watch: whether Pant walks in with gloves on, or just pads up to bat, or takes the day off—each choice reflects balancing immediate series needs with player fitness and long-term planning.
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