Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Rishabh Pant should play as a batter only if he is not fit enough to keep wickets in the fourth Test against England. He added that Team India need Pant’s contributions with the bat.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Can Rishabh Pant play as a batter? The voice for this argument will become louder now. He has an injury in his hand, and Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in the last match. If Rishabh is still not fully fit, he should either play as a batter or not play at all. Ravi Shastri believes he shouldn’t play if he cannot keep.”

READ HERE: “The reality is I was tired” – Jasprit Bumrah on not celebrating five-fer

“I am of the opinion that the Indian team won’t be able to manage without his batting. I am absolutely honest about it because even though this guy had an injury in his hand, the result of the match might have been different had he not got run out. He played a 74-run knock even in that innings. He got out early in the second innings for sure, but Rishabh Pant is a match-winner. He is a game-changer and an entertainer,” he further added.

However, Aakash Chopra also opined on what makes Rishabh Pant a special player in Tests.

“Rishabh Pant does now what Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist used to do. There are very few players who can break the mold of Test cricket. When someone does that, the opposing team remains stunned. When a batter comes to bat, even if it’s Viru or Pant, you believe you should set a field that’s right for Test cricket, as the 150-year history is weighing down on you, and you think he won’t be able to hit this time, although he might have hit last time. When he comes and hits at the start, you are in a dilemma. Very few players have been able to challenge the DNA of Test cricket,” Aakash Chopra concluded.