Rishabh Pant Ruled Out with Fractured Toe, Ishan Kishan Likely to Replace Him in Fifth Test

Team India suffered a major blow on the opening day of the fourth Test match in Manchester as star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant sustained a toe injury that has now been confirmed as a fracture. The injury occurred when Pant was struck on the foot by a delivery from England pacer Chris Woakes while attempting a reverse sweep. He was visibly in pain and had to be taken off the field immediately. A subsequent CT scan revealed a fracture in his toe, and he has been advised six weeks of rest, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of the series.

Pant was in good form, batting on 37 runs off 48 balls before the unfortunate incident. With his injury, India not only loses a key player in the middle order but also finds itself with a reduced batting lineup for the remainder of the Manchester Test, fielding effectively just nine recognized batsmen.

A Major Setback for India

Pant’s absence is a serious setback for Team India, especially considering his impressive performance in the current series. So far, he has amassed 462 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries, making him one of the highest run-scorers in the series. His aggressive stroke play and ability to shift momentum have been critical to India's fight in English conditions.

Ishan Kishan Poised for a Comeback

In response to Pant’s injury, the selectors are reportedly eyeing Ishan Kishan as his potential replacement for the fifth and final Test at The Oval. According to media reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has already contacted Kishan, who could rejoin the national squad after a nearly two-year hiatus from Test cricket.

Ishan Kishan last featured in a Test match for India against West Indies in July 2023, and has played two Test matches in total, scoring 78 runs, which includes a half-century. Though he hasn’t been part of the national setup in recent months, Kishan has been active in the domestic and county circuit. This season, he turned out for Nottinghamshire in English county cricket, where he registered two significant scores — 87 and 77 runs — showcasing his form and adaptability to local conditions.

Why Ishan Kishan?

The decision to consider Ishan Kishan stems from multiple factors:

• He is a natural wicketkeeper-batsman, much like Pant.

• Kishan plays with a similar aggressive approach, which suits India’s current playing style.

• He is comfortable batting in the lower middle-order, a position Pant often occupied.

• His recent county experience means he is already acclimatized to English conditions, minimizing the adjustment time.