India are closely monitoring Rishabh Pant’s fitness ahead of the must-win fourth Test in Manchester. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate says the team is giving him maximum recovery time. With India trailing 1-2, selection decisions and consistency will be key to leveling the Test series against England.
As India gear up for the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23, all eyes are on vice-captain and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who is battling to recover from a finger injury sustained during the Lord’s Test. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that the team is giving Pant as much time as possible to regain full fitness ahead of the do-or-die clash.
Pant, who scored 74 and 9 in the third Test, injured his left index finger while keeping on the first day at Lord’s and was visibly in discomfort. He didn’t don the gloves for the remainder of the match, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in to handle the wicketkeeping duties.
Despite the setback, Indian captain Shubman Gill was optimistic after the third Test, stating, “He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don’t think one is going to keep Rishabh out of the Test, no matter what. He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third Test and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”
Ten Doeschate echoed this sentiment during a press conference at Beckenham, where the Indian team is training. “Keeping is obviously the last part of the process. We don’t want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper midway through an innings. We’re just trying to give his finger as long as possible and hopefully, he’s good to go in the first training session in Manchester,” he said.
In Pant’s absence, Jurel remains a strong backup option. “He is in the equation. But obviously, if Rishabh is fit, he plays and does both roles,” ten Doeschate added.
India trail 1-2 in the five-match series following a narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, ten Doeschate acknowledged a recurring issue – losing clusters of wickets in short periods. “The repetition of losing lots of wickets in a very short space of time has been the key feature of the two losses. Both times – at Headingley and at Lord’s – losing six wickets for 40 runs really cost us,” he said.
Despite this, the assistant coach remains confident in the team’s batting unit. “If you look at it individually, the batters are doing well. Even someone like Karun, we feel his rhythm and tempo are good. We want more runs from the top three, but the focus is on tidying up the small things that have cost us games.”
Another concern discussed within the team is their tendency to lose wickets just before the lunch break. “It has been spoken about. We’re trying to figure out if it’s a pattern – whether we’re losing concentration or getting complacent. It’s difficult to pinpoint, but we are addressing it,” said ten Doeschate.
Recalling a moment from Lord’s, he said, “I was throwing balls in the back when Rishabh got run out before lunch. It was incredulity – you couldn’t believe it happened again. But that doesn’t guarantee a big partnership. Every ball is important.”
India are returning to Manchester for a Test after 11 years, which presents unfamiliar territory for most of the squad. However, ten Doeschate dismissed the idea of using conditions as an excuse. “We’ve made it a point within the group to stay away from excuses. The challenge is to get the best out of the players under the given conditions,” he said.
He also shed light on how the support staff is handling the long tour and the larger squad of 18 players. “Five Tests make for a long series. It’s important to give attention and quality practice to those who aren’t playing. Managing their mental space is crucial so that they are ready when their chance comes,” he stated.
Ten Doeschate acknowledged the difficulty of having top-class players on the bench. “With 18 quality players, some won’t get a game. But managing the dressing room mood and ensuring everyone stays prepared is a big part of our job.”
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As the Manchester Test looms large, India must iron out their flaws, make the right calls on player fitness, and harness the strengths that saw them dominate portions of the series so far. Whether Rishabh Pant takes the field or not, the pressure is on India to bounce back and keep the series alive.
