England legend Geoffrey Boycott blamed Rishabh Pant himself for the plight he finds him in. “It is always sad when a player gets hurt and affects his ability to play a part in the game. Especially someone as talented as him. But he has only himself to blame,” he said in Telegraph’s podcast brief before the start of the second day’s play at Manchester.
India were cruising at 213 for 3 and Pant batting untroubled when he tried to reverse sweep medium pacer Chris Woakes but to bottom edge the ball straight on to his boot. He was soon ferried back to the pavilion on a golf buggy and retired hurt. The Indian Express has reported that it would be unlikely that he would bat on the second day, and potentially faces missing the series as scans revealed a fracture, which could take at least six weeks to heal.
Boycott was left wondering at the timing of the short. “They were nicely in control, batting orthodox, there was no need to try something outrageous. Rishabh tries amazing strokes. When they come off , people are astonished and he is cheered, and that is the essence of his batting. But occasionally when it does not, it can look silly. India, yesterday, was getting themselves to an excellent batting position. On one hand, many would say that is his nature, but on the other hand, him not batting in both innings might cost India the match. It will affect the runs they could add to that innings. He is that good,” he said.
India would resume at 261/4, with in-form Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, who is reputed for his firefighting skills. Washington Sundar is a proper batsman while Anshul Kamboj could stick around “India start the day at 261/4. The real key is Pant doubtful to bat. So technically India are five down. Two overs to the new ball, and England bowlers have had a night’s rest, they are fresh, raring to go and there is every chance of England’s bowlers polishing off the last five wickets for just over 300,” he said.
But he warns: “Anything over 340, England’s bowlers would have failed. Pant’s injury is a stroke of misfortune for India, England should drive home this misfortune by a really good bowling performance this morning with the new ball and then bat well, get a good lead and take charge of this Test match,” he said.
