Will Rishabh Pant Miss the Rest of the Match? Liam Dawson's Comment Sparks Debate

Speculation is swirling around Rishabh Pant's fitness after he appeared to suffer an injury during the Manchester Test against England. While there is no official confirmation yet about the severity of the injury, England’s left-arm spinner Liam Dawson has made a striking remark that has set tongues wagging. According to Dawson, Pant may not take any further part in the match—raising questions not only about Pant’s condition but also about Dawson’s intent behind the statement.

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Dawson said, “Rishabh Pant is a fantastic player. But from what I saw, it didn’t look like a minor injury. I hope he’s doing alright, but I don’t see him taking much part in the rest of the game.” The statement has sparked concern among fans and pundits alike, especially in the absence of a detailed medical update from the Indian camp.

However, some are wondering whether Dawson’s words stem more from strategy than sympathy. Could it be fear rather than fact? Rishabh Pant has an intimidating record against slow left-arm spinners—he strikes at 131 and averages 88 against them in Tests. In fact, among batters who have faced at least 200 balls of left-arm spin in Test cricket, Pant holds the highest strike rate. Given that Dawson himself is a slow left-arm spinner, his comment may well be influenced by the prospect of facing a rampaging Pant at the crease.

While fans wait for a clear update from the BCCI medical team, questions linger: Is Rishabh Pant truly unfit to continue, or is his sheer presence enough to unnerve the opposition into speculation? One thing is certain—Pant’s absence or presence could significantly impact the outcome of this Test match.