India batter Sai Sudharsan provided an update on Rishabh Pant’s injury after stumps on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. Pant injured his right foot in the final session of the day’s play after being hit on his boot by Chris Woakes. The wicketkeeper batter was in excruciating pain as he was spotted limping near the pitch, taking his pads off.
Pant was immediately attended by the team’s physio and was taken off the field by the ambulance after not showing any improvement. At the end of the day’s play, Sudharsan opened up on Pant’s unfortunate injury and revealed that he’s undergoing scans in the hospital.
However, he also mentioned that should he not return to participate in the rest of the match, the rest of the batters are ready to take on the responsibility.
“He was in a lot of pain definitely, but they’ve gone for scans. We’ll get to know overnight, probably get the information tomorrow. Obviously he will be a big miss, because he was batting really well today as well, and plus we miss out on a batter. If he doesn’t come back again it will definitely have consequences. But at the same time, the batters who are batting right now and there are a few more all-rounders inside. We’ll try and give our best and bat long so that we negotiate that loss very well, said Sudharsan in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.
Furthermore, speaking about his innings, he revealed how he had to negotiate the tough period under overcast conditions but said that he was not under any pressure to prove his selection.
ENG vs IND, 4th Test Highlights
“I’m not looking at it as a pressure situation; it’s a great opportunity for me to g out there and express myself. Yes, the game is all about pressure and handling it really well. I was trying to play the situation very well and what I can do best to my team. So that’s the most important thought or that’s the most important thing which is right up in my mind rather than me playing my first test or rather than me playing in place of another batter. So as a batter or as a player for the team, I’m trying to do my best when I get in there, not to think about, did I play the last game or am I replacing somebody so that I have to definitely get runs, not like that,” he added.
Sudharsan scored a magnificent 61 (151), adding 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Rishabh Pant. However, the youngster had a lapse of concentration after Pant got retired hurt and fell prey to Ben Stokes’ short-ball ploy and got holed out to fine leg. Following his dismissal, Shardul Thakur joined Ravindra Jadeja at the crease and the duo took India to stumps on 264/4.
– Ends
