Rishabh Pant came to bat before lunch on the fourth day, with India at 296/5, still almost 80 runs needed to feel secure about not losing the Test match.
India then lost skipper Virat Kohli, who had batted brilliantly when the total was 312 runs, which put even more pressure on Pant. His patience provided the platform for a 100-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur. The latter was more aggressive. He smashed seven fours and a six for his 72-ball 60 before Joe Root, who also bowled off-spin, was caught on a straight delivery at slips.
Thakur insisted that his first innings half-century was not a flash in the pan. He established that he is endowed with batting skills. However, he would do well to pass the ball a bit more while driving from the front foot. This will ensure that he does not execute the shot upwards. He is a very powerful striker of the ball.
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