India are all set to take on England in the 4th Test of the five-match series at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. The visitors are currently trailing in the series by a margin of 1-2 after the heartbreaking loss at Lord's. Hence, India need to win the match in order to stay alive in the series. A loss would mean that they would lose the series with a match to go. Rishabh Pant is in fine form for Team India in this series, and will be a trump card for India in the game. However, Ravi Shastri wants him to be dropped under one condition.

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has hinted that if Rishabh Pant does not recover from his finger injury by the time of the fourth Test, he might not be donning the wicketkeeping gloves, and will only play as a specialist batter.

In the ICC Review Show, Ravi Shastri said that Pant should not play the Manchester Test if he is not fit enough to keep. This is because he would hurt his finger more if he does ground fielding.

“I don’t think he should go in as a specialist batter if he can’t keep because he will have to field. If he fields, that will be worse," Shastri said.

“With the gloves, at least there is some protection. Without gloves, if he gets something that stings in there, then it won’t be very good. It’ll only worsen the injury,” he added.

Ravi Shastri also urged the team management to check for any fracture on Rishabh Pant's finger, and if there is, then he should be rested before being brought back for the fifth Test.

“You’ve got to see if it is a break. If it is a break or a fracture, then he rather rests it and comes fully fit at The Oval. He won’t get a substitute now. Now they’ll know that he has been injured. When you pick the team for the next Test, he’ll have to keep and he’ll have to bat. He can’t do one of the two. It’s if it is fully fit. If it is not a crack, I think he’ll play,” the former India head coach added.