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Kamboj or Prasidh: Who will replace Akash? Here's what Gill said
However, the big selection question now is: who replaces Akash — will it be the uncapped Anshul Kamboj or the returning Prasidh Krishna? Gill also spoke about the Manchester pitch, the need to finish sessions better, and the mental toll of leading a team under pressure. With the series hanging in the balance, India will need tactical clarity and composure more than ever.
Kamboj close to debut, but Gill leaves room for mystery
Shubman Gill confirmed that both Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna are in contention to fill the void left by Akash Deep's injury but declined to reveal the final decision, saying it would be taken on the morning of the match. He described Kamboj as a player with the ideal skill set for current team requirements. According to Gill, the youngster has shown enough promise for the team to believe he can win them a match. He reminded the media that similar doubts had been raised before Akash Deep's debut, but the team's internal belief in its bench strength remains strong.
Injuries disrupt India's plans again
Gill acknowledged that the regular injuries to pacers have made planning combinations a challenging task throughout the series. He said it is far from ideal to change the bowling attack every Test, but he had mentally prepared for such situations in advance. India have had a different bowling line-up in all three matches so far, and now, with both Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh unavailable, the trend looks set to continue. Still, Gill expressed confidence in the squad, stating that they have enough quality bowlers to take 20 wickets — which remains the ultimate goal in overseas Tests.
Old Trafford conditions could favour bowlers
Gill spoke about the conditions at Old Trafford, saying the pitch didn't appear overly damp during inspection, but with persistent rain around, it may not dry out fully before the start. He mentioned that this ground typically offers more pace and bounce compared to other venues in the series, which could play into the hands of fast bowlers. Gill said the team will wait until match morning to finalise the combination, taking the overhead conditions and weather forecasts into account. He acknowledged that bowlers will likely get more assistance here, making it a tougher test for the batters.
Captaincy: Mentally draining but rewarding
Gill reflected on his role as stand-in captain over the past three Tests, describing it as a mentally intense experience. He said that while it may be less tiring physically than being a regular player, the mental involvement is far greater — constantly thinking, planning, and adjusting to game situations. He admitted that captaining a side undergoing frequent changes due to injuries isn't easy, but the experience has been enriching. Gill said he has enjoyed leading a talented group against a tough opponent and hopes the team can turn things around in Manchester and push the series into a decider.
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Business Standard
18 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Pant's painful heroics Etch another chapter in cricket's bravest moments
As Rishabh Pant limped down the steep steps of the Indian dressing room at Old Trafford on Thursday morning, there was a collective hush across the stands. It was a sight reminiscent of cricket's most heroic moments—an injured man refusing to yield. The crowd soon rose to its feet, offering a standing ovation, recognising a scene that could belong in cricketing folklore. Pant, battling a fractured toe, was taking guard less than 24 hours after retiring hurt on 37. His decision to bat again under immense pain was not just brave—it was historic. For many, it evoked memories of Anil Kumble's legendary spell in Antigua in 2002, when the former India captain bowled with a bandaged broken jaw and even dismissed Brian Lara. 'No Punt, No Pant': The audacity of a fighter Pant's return to the crease was not inevitable. When he was seen speaking to head coach Gautam Gambhir on the sidelines earlier in the day, there were doubts whether he would bat at all. But, as it has so often been the case, Pant thrives on audacity. He once reverse swept a dipping yorker from Chris Woakes—an audacious punt. On Thursday, he took an even greater one: walking out with a broken foot. And yet, if there is no punt, there is no Pant. Even the most optimistic fan would have dismissed the idea of Pant padding up again so soon. But he did—stoically, quietly, and with a bat in hand. The crowd, familiar with his flair, applauded not just the player but the indomitable spirit he brought with him. Pant walking down the stairs with broken toe (right leg) on Day 2 of India vs England 4th Test in 2025 at the Old Trafford. Photo: @BCCI The half-century that will echo through time Pant hobbled to his crease. Singles were out of question. Even turning back after a defensive push required grit. But he was unmoved in purpose. His 54 may not have been his most flamboyant innings in terms of strokeplay, but its emotional and symbolic weight placed it among his finest. When Pant looks back decades later, this half-century will sit among his eight Test tons, if not above them. The physical toll, the mental strain, the sheer absurdity of it—it all made this knock worth much more than its numerical value. In spirit and scale, this was a century. An ode to courage: In the company of legends What Pant did at Old Trafford has earned its rightful place alongside tales of the sport's most iconic acts of bravery. Just as Malcolm Marshall played with a fractured hand at Headingley in 1984 and Kumble bowled through pain in Antigua, Pant has now created a moment of his own. He had already conquered odds few have faced—a life-threatening car crash in December 2022 that left him battling for mobility. That he returned to international cricket at all is remarkable. That he did this, a year and a half later, is surreal. Pain, precision and Pant's poetry with the bat Before lunch, Pant managed just two singles—each an effort of will. Post lunch, perhaps irked by Ben Stokes's playful gesture of tapping an imaginary watch on his wrist, Pant's response was fitting. He thumped a slower bouncer from Jofra Archer for a six over midwicket, then check-drove Stokes through cover for four. As he raised his bat for the half-century, Old Trafford responded once again with a raucous ovation. The standing crowd understood what the scoreboard could not convey—this was a display of pain management, resolve and defiance. Eventually, it was Archer who found the stumps with a peach of a delivery. But not before Pant had made his statement. Here comes Rishabh Pant... A classy reception from the Emirates Old Trafford crowd ???? — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025 Root's gesture, Gambhir's influence, and the making of a leader When Pant finally walked back, England's Joe Root patted him on the back. It was a gesture of respect, recognition of greatness in its rawest form. His teammates, coach Gambhir, and fans will remember this innings for what it revealed about Pant—the leader. During India's pre-Test training session in Beckenham, Pant's clarity of mind was striking. He talked less about his accident and more about seizing every opportunity he gets now. He sees playing for India not as an endpoint but as a constant journey—a sentiment he had shared publicly in a Star Sports interview earlier this year. Rishabh Pant. Photo: @BCCI Built different: From teen prodigy to Indian vice-captain From a precocious 19-year-old making his debut to becoming India's Test vice-captain, Pant has grown in stature. But in his heart, he still sees himself as a cricketer with everything to prove. His steely innings on Thursday demonstrated that his journey, in his own words, 'has just begun.' For someone who has already scripted many defining moments—including an epic Gabba chase and near-heroics in Cape Town—Pant's Manchester stand might just top the list. It wasn't the runs, but the raw courage that left an imprint. A legacy beyond numbers Pant may not play another match in the series. But with one innings, he has already left his mark. His bat spoke not just of skill, but of spirit, of what it means to never give up—an attribute rare and revered. On Thursday, Rishabh Pant didn't just bat with a broken foot. He carved a permanent space for himself in cricket's pantheon of grit. His 54 will not be remembered for how it was made, but why.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Rishabh Pant Becomes First Wicketkeeper-Batter In 141 Years To...
In seven innings of four matches played so far in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Rishabh Pant has amassed a total of 479 runs for India. Rishabh Pant, despite suffering a foot injury on Wednesday (July 23), which will reportedly keep him out of action for six weeks, came out to bat for India in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester and scored 54 runs from 75 balls. During his stay at the crease, he hammered three fours and two sixes and broke multiple batting records. The 54-run knock in the first innings helped Pant take his tally of runs to 479 in the ongoing series. The total of 479 runs is the most by any wicketkeeper-batter in a Test series played on English soil. The previous best was 464 runs by Alec Stewart of England during the 1998 England-South Africa Test series. Most Test runs in a series by a WK in England 479* – Rishabh Pant vs ENG, 2025 464 – Alec Stewart vs SA, 1998 415* – Jamie Smith vs IND, 2025 387 – Jonny Bairstow vs SL, 2016 Apart from that, Pant also broke the Indian record of scoring the most 50+ scores in a Test series by a wicketkeeper-batter. During his playing days, MS Dhoni twice scored four 50+ scores in a series, and Farokh Engineer, who also has a stand named after him at Old Trafford, also crossed the 50-run mark four times during the 1972-73 India-England Test series. 5 – Rishabh Pant vs England, 2025* 4 – Farokh Engineer vs England, 1972/73 4 – MS Dhoni vs Australia, 2008/09 4 – MS Dhoni vs England, 2014 Pant has nine 50+ scores to his credit in red-ball matches played on English soil now which is one more than Dhoni's tally of 8. In addition to breaking three big records as a wicketkeeper-batter, Pant also entered his name in the record books by becoming India's leading run getter in the World Test Championship (WTC). During his playing days, Rohit featured in 40 WTC matches for India and amassed a total of 2716 runs, whereas Pant has 2731 runs to his credit now in 38 WTC matches. The couple of sixes during his 75-ball stay at the crease in the first innings has taken Pant's tally of maximums to 90 in Test cricket, which helps him equal Virender Sehwag's record of most sixes for India in Tests. Sehwag played 103 Tests for India from 2001 to 2013 and hammered 90 maximums. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Rishabh Pant Shatters World Record, Leaves MS Dhoni Behind In Elite Test Cricket List
Rishabh Pant scripted history as he surpassed MS Dhoni to shatter a world record with his half-century during Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford. Pant, who came out to bat despite suffering an injury on his right foot, showed tremendous grit and determination to slam his 9th 50-plus score on English soil. That is currently the highest by any wicket-keeper batter in an away country - a record that belonged to Dhoni (8 in England). This was also his 5th 50-plus score of the ongoing series - a feat that no other Indian cricket team wicket-keeper has ever achieved in a single Test series. Most 50+ scores by an Indian WK in a Test series 5 - Rishabh Pant vs ENG, 2025* 4 - Farokh Engineer vs ENG, 1972/73 4 - MS Dhoni vs AUS, 2008/09 4 - MS Dhoni vs ENG, 2014 Coming to the match, Rishabh Pant batted with a fractured toe to score a half-century before Ben Stokes -led England ended India's first innings at 358 on the second day of the fourth Test. The injured Pant, who walked in awkwardly to a standing ovation a day after retiring hurt on 37 after copping a blow on his right foot, braved pain to make 54 off 75 balls even as Stokes finished with excellent figures of 5/72. Resuming on 264 for four, India were dealt an early blow as Ravindra Jadeja edged a Jofra Archer outswinger to Harry Brook at second slip in only the day's second over. It was a fine catch by Brooks who dived forward to hold the dipping ball. Shardul Thakur (41) and Washington Sundar (27) then added 48 runs for the sixth wicket while negotiating a tough phase after England opted to take the second new ball at the start of the day's play. England skipper Stokes broke the flourishing stand when he had Thakur brilliantly caught at gully by a diving Ben Duckett.
