Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Rishabh Pant to keep wickets in the fourth Test match against England. Pant suffered a blow to his left-hand index finger while keeping in the first innings of the third Test match at Lord’s.

Subsequently, Pant was replaced by Dhruv Jurel as a substitute keeper. Pant only batted in both innings as Jurel took the wicket-keeping duties.

Ashwin reckons Pant’s injury is not that serious and he would be seen donning the gloves in the fourth Test.

“I don’t think there were any concerns about Pant. I don’t understand how it became a concern. It is just a way of sensationalizing news I feel. How much can a finger injury be if the finger is not broken? There will be a little bit impact obviously. If there would not have been a rule for a substitute keeper you would have seen Rishabh Pant keep even in the last game. It is a good thing that he rested himself and came back to bat but it was never a matter of concern. If the finger wasn’t broken he was anyway going to keep in the fourth Test,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki baat’. 

Meanwhile, Ashwin reckons India has a better team than England and the visitors’ bowling attack would become even more potent if they add the services of Anshul Kamboj to their playing XI.

“This England team, man to man, will not match India skills wise. Looking at how Siraj and Bumrah bowled, if you bring Anshul Kamboj in, I’m telling you that is a serious bowling attack. People will tell he hasn’t played but he was there on the A tour. He’s been in cracking form in first-class cricket. He is used to bowling long spells, and you need that in England. He will be a really good foil for Siraj and Bumrah. Prasidh is also an option but I would rather go with Anshul,” he said. 

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.