Braving a fractured right toe, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant displayed grit and determination to come out and bat after the fall of Shardul Thakur’s wicket on the second morning of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Former head coach Anil Kumble strongly advocated for the pace spearhead’s inclusion in the remaining two Tests, despite the team management's pre-series decision to play the 31-year-old in only three of the five Tests.
Dhruv Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties during England’s innings, while Pant managed to bat through the discomfort, scoring 74 and 9 in India’s two innings.
The 30-year-old Bumrah turned the Vizag Test in India’s favour with nine wickets, including a brilliant six-wicket haul in the first essay during an eventual 106-run win to help India draw level in the series.
Earlier, after the first session washed out due to rain, Australia were bowled out for 300 and India enforced the follow-on just before the tea break.
Australia posted 122/1 in their first innings, trailing India by 500 runs at lunch on the third day of the fourth cricket Test here on Saturday.
Electing to bat, Australia were 131 for one against India at lunch on day one of the fourth and final…
