Will Pant bat again? Yes, says India batting coach

Captain Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul batted with confidence to take the fourth Test of the ongoing series to the fifth day after India collapsed to 0 for 2 in their second innings on Saturday. Though they raised the hope of drawing this match with their 174-run stand, India have a long way to go with England 137 runs ahead.

The hosts need eight more wickets in a minimum of 90 to seal the series. Will India dig deep to save the Test, and do they have enough resources to come up well to thwart the English attack? With wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant injured, India are reduced to nine fully fit batters. But India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Pant will bat if the situation demands on the fifth day. "Rishabh will bat tomorrow," said Kotak after stumps on day four.

Pant, the vice-captain, was injured after he inside-edged a yorker from Chris Woakes on the first day. On day two, Pant came out to bat despite a fractured right foot and went on to score a half-century. It was made clear then that Pant will not be in a position to keep but will bat if required.

After India managed to bowl England out for 669, conceding a 311-run lead, they lost two wickets in the fourth and fifth balls of the first innings. But Gill and Rahul calmed the nerves and put on their first 100-run partnership for the third wicket.

Kotak lauded the captain and Rahul for the batting display. "A five-day wicket will have wear and tear, but it is playing fine, barring the odd ball turning. They batted with a lot of belief and determination. It is tough when you lose two early wickets.

"But I think at lunchtime also, they had that belief that we will take some time, see the first 10-15 overs and then take it from there. So, absolutely brilliant the way they batted."

Kotak said Gill is reaping the benefits of a change in mindset. "See, from the Australia series to this series, I have also seen his thought process and the way he batted. It is a little different from what he has done in Australia. We discussed, but I would give a lot of credit to him for deciding on that wicket, what he wants to play, when he wants to play.

"And I think he successfully played certain shots and successfully avoided playing certain shots," said Kotak.
(With PTI inputs)