New Delhi: India is all set to continue their hunt for victory in the ongoing fourth Test as they battle England on the final day of the clash. The Men in Blue are still trailing by 137 runs, with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill well set at the crease. The pair stitched together a crucial 165-run partnership after early blows saw Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan depart for ducks in the very first over.
The big question lingering in everyone’s mind is whether Rishabh Pant will come out to bat or not. Putting all speculation to rest, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter will bat if needed on the final day. After the end of play on Day 4, Kotak said, “Rishabh will play tomorrow.”
Kotak praises Gill-Rahul partnership
Kotak also lauded the gritty effort by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, who showed remarkable composure after the early collapse. He credited both batters for their calm shot selection and adaptability under pressure. “A five-day wicket will have wear and tear, but it is playing well except for a few odd turns,” he said. “They batted with a lot of belief and determination. It is tough when you lose two early wickets.”
Speaking about Gill’s evolution, Kotak added, “The way Shubman Gill batted from the Australia series to this one has been different. I’d give him a lot of credit for deciding what he wants to play and when. He’s been selective and disciplined with his stroke-making.”
India will need to keep the fight going for as long as possible on the final day, and if a collapse happens, Pant’s presence could be crucial. Despite struggling with a right foot injury, Pant showed great resilience in the first innings, scoring a gutsy half-century. If called upon, expect him to once again dig deep for the team.