Will Rishabh Pant return for fourth Test against England at Old Trafford?

Dubai: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to be fit for the fourth Test in Manchester, despite sustaining a finger injury while keeping during the first innings at Lord’s.

Pant, who was dismissed by a searing Jofra Archer delivery in the second innings, underwent scans after the match. “There is no major injury, so he should be fine,” confirmed skipper Shubman Gill after India’s 22-run loss in the third Test.

The injury raised concerns, given Pant’s long rehabilitation from a near-fatal car crash, but early assessments have ruled out anything serious. Barring a late setback, the flamboyant left-hander is set to resume wicketkeeping duties when the teams face off at Old Trafford on July 23.

Pant batted through the discomfort and, along with KL Rahul, was building a substantial first-innings lead for India with a superb 141-run partnership. But just before lunch on Day 3, Pant ran himself out — apparently trying to give Rahul a chance to complete his century before the break.

It took a moment of brilliance from Ben Stokes, whose direct hit removed Pant for a typically sparkling 74. Rahul went on to complete his second Test hundred at Lord’s and earn another name on the dressing-room honours board. But India ultimately matched, rather than surpassed, England’s first-innings 387 — a potentially decisive moment in the match.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believed the run-out was a turning point. “When you look back, that Rishabh Pant run-out in India’s first innings will be absolutely vital. With the ball, in the field, with the bat — Stokes is never out of the game!” he said.

On the final morning, Stokes and the fiery Archer reduced India to 82/7 after Pant was bowled by a speedball from Jofra Archer to deal a decisive blow to India's chase. Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with an unbeaten 61, but England sealed the win when Shoaib Bashir’s sharp turner bowled Mohammed Siraj — who sank to his knees in despair as England players consoled him.

“This will be a tough one for India to take,” Hussain added. “If we had pie charts showing who won the sessions in this series, India have dominated many. But they’re 2-1 down because of key moments — little collapses, dropped catches, Pant’s run-out. India need a break.”